as in extra
not needed by the circumstances or to accomplish an end
that large suitcase is unnecessary—we are only going to be away for a couple of days
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of unnecessary
As is Lee’s wont, the film meanders through some vivid, if unnecessary subplots.
—
Tim Grierson, Vulture, 16 Aug. 2025
Mayor Muriel Bowser sought to reassure residents, saying that while violent crime remains a problem in the city, the national guard deployment was unnecessary.
—Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025
The move was met with backlash, with critics arguing the move was unnecessary, pointing to city data showing a significant decrease in crime over the past year.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 13 Aug. 2025
Nava said another key part of his work this year is tamping down any unnecessary fears and countering misinformation posted on social media and spread amongst farm workers in WhatsApp groups.
—David Culver, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unnecessary
Tim Grierson, Vulture, 16 Aug. 2025
Mayor Muriel Bowser sought to reassure residents, saying that while violent crime remains a problem in the city, the national guard deployment was unnecessary.
—Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025
The move was met with backlash, with critics arguing the move was unnecessary, pointing to city data showing a significant decrease in crime over the past year.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 13 Aug. 2025
Nava said another key part of his work this year is tamping down any unnecessary fears and countering misinformation posted on social media and spread amongst farm workers in WhatsApp groups.
—David Culver, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unnecessary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unnecessary
Adjective
-
The evolving answers and the extra attention has kept a notable spotlight on Gallego, whose 2024 Senate win in a state President Donald Trump won handily has given him an outsized platform about how Democrats can compete moving forward.—
Ronald J. Hansen,
AZCentral.com,
25 Aug. 2025
-
Also covered are spirits such as Bailey’s, Frangelico, Grand Marnier and Kahlua, although they can be included in your coffee at no extra cost.—
Debbi Kickham,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Traditionally, the sandwiches are served on light, airy baguettes packed with meat, pickled veggies like carrots and cucumber, jalapeños, cilantro and optional pâté.—
Sunny Hubler,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Some of these technologies are essential for ensuring the proper functioning of the service or website and cannot be disabled, while others are optional but serve to enhance the user experience in various ways.—
Matthew Strauss,
Pitchfork,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Such needless and tragic suffering and death are beyond reason, and the disturbing images break your heart.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Aug. 2025
-
That’s a lot of needless value lost that limits confidence in future trades.—
Dom Luszczyszyn,
New York Times,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
So, the question is: if it is known that people are bound to make errors, can humans build systems that make those irrelevant?—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Hermes stress that their technology is in the remote launch and control of drones, and the platform is irrelevant to them.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The Mexican gray wolves in the Bear Canyon and Dillon Mountain packs are a part of an experimental, nonessential population of endangered wolves living in Arizona and New Mexico.—
John Leos,
AZCentral.com,
24 Aug. 2025
-
Target is known for its trendier items, and the chain stocks more nonessential merchandise than its competitors.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
When a mysterious tree suddenly appears at the local church, at the school and at the family’s home, all eyes now fall on the family, who begin to receive unwarranted attention from the local police, the chief, and the village preacher.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Aug. 2025
-
However, some have criticized employer techniques for tracking in-office attendance as babying employees and demonstrating an unwarranted lack of trust.—
Scharon Harding,
ArsTechnica,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
When security friction, manual approvals or redundant requests bog down a team, their capacity to operate at their full potential is reduced.—
Fran Rosch,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
-
As Duke modernizes its infrastructure to meet the Carolinas’ growing energy needs, combining the 52,000-square-mile service area would avoid redundant investments and costs like maintenance and fuel.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
And the hierarchy must consider who else is dispensable and at what price.—
Henry Flynn,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
-
To become a machine, after all, is to become usable and, perhaps, dispensable.—
James Poniewozik,
New York Times,
14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unnecessary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unnecessary. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share