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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unnecessary
For Jack Bobo, executive director of the UCLA Rothman Family Institute for Food Studies, the California bill's goal to make kids' meals healthier is a good one but creates unnecessary bureaucracy.
—
Claudia Boyd-Barrett, ABC News, 25 Sep. 2025
Once again, the process is likely to be costly, counterproductive and completely unnecessary.
—Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 25 Sep. 2025
Always make sure to carry a bookmark with you when reading a library book to avoid unnecessary dog-earing.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 2025
With Medicare Advantage, his provider would get a flat monthly fee for his care and have incentive to keep him healthy and eliminate unnecessary billing.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unnecessary
Claudia Boyd-Barrett, ABC News, 25 Sep. 2025
Once again, the process is likely to be costly, counterproductive and completely unnecessary.
—Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 25 Sep. 2025
Always make sure to carry a bookmark with you when reading a library book to avoid unnecessary dog-earing.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 2025
With Medicare Advantage, his provider would get a flat monthly fee for his care and have incentive to keep him healthy and eliminate unnecessary billing.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unnecessary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unnecessary
Adjective
-
But what puts the Porkers over the top is a deep lineup of players like twins Emily Hagan and Grace Hagan (both Temple lacrosse commits), who pack an extra dose of athleticism and competitiveness, with skills that translate from lacrosse.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
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Having this cause in my life gives me an extra way to connect with people and begin a dialogue on an important issue.—
Maureen Carrig,
CNBC,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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As part of the festivities in Cooperstown, Ichiro was invited to an optional golf outing.—
Brad Lefton,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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Partnerships with platforms like Hometainment provide optional private chefs, mixologists, and wellness experts, turning a quiet night in into something memorable.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Trump is basically threatening a needless, massive cut to programs people rely on.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
26 Sep. 2025
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And, needless to say, temporary.—
Vanessa Taylor,
Big Think,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
There is this constant projection from bad-faith actors, who find the truth irrelevant to their desires to rhetorically position the work that artists are doing—and even reality itself.—
Helen Molesworth,
Artforum,
1 Oct. 2025
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My teaching skills were basically irrelevant.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In the past, when a government shutdown has occurred, nonessential federal workers have been temporarily furloughed, and essential workers have stayed on the job without pay while Congress resolves funding disputes and then votes to pay the workers back retroactively.—
Jordan Green,
Nashville Tennessean,
26 Sep. 2025
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The health system isn’t planning any layoffs or service reductions, but could cut back on nonessential maintenance and technology updates, CEO Donna Lynne said.—
Meg Wingerter,
Denver Post,
20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Umpires take a lot of unwarranted criticism across Major League Baseball, but this is one instance where Scott Barry deserves to take some heat for this decision.—
Drew VonScio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
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Though his paranoia is not unwarranted.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Any debate about who would start in the No 9 role at Palace is now redundant, but the more pressing issue for Slot is if, as expected, Isak is unable to complete 90 minutes, who should come on to replace him?—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
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As features evolve, unused fields, redundant queries and unoptimized data models creep in.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The truth of conservatism lies elsewhere, in the unshakeable principles that the dispensable litany of professed ideals protects.—
Allan J. Lichtman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
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And the hierarchy must consider who else is dispensable and at what price.—
Henry Flynn,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unnecessary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unnecessary. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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