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
Our current regime-change and unnecessary war is as much of an error as a golfer who hits the ball into the woods.
—
Gary Franks, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026
Expanding removal sweeps for children who were never in danger inflicts unnecessary trauma without justification.
—Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
Dryer sheets produce unnecessary waste and leave residue behind on your clothing and in your dryer.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2026
Today, technology has made those skills largely unnecessary for safety.
—David Szondy
april 25, New Atlas, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unnecessary
Gary Franks, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026
Expanding removal sweeps for children who were never in danger inflicts unnecessary trauma without justification.
—Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
Dryer sheets produce unnecessary waste and leave residue behind on your clothing and in your dryer.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2026
Today, technology has made those skills largely unnecessary for safety.
—David Szondy
april 25, New Atlas, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unnecessary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unnecessary
Adjective
-
The lightning-quick Maxey repeatedly got to the basket in the first half, but the Knicks continued to give him extra attention throughout his nearly 47 minutes of playing time.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
7 May 2026
-
Ryan Pierce produced a two-run double in the sixth as Dundee-Crown (9-15, 1-12) overcame a five-run deficit in forcing extra innings.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
Starting this summer, employees will again be required to wear red shirts with blue jeans or khakis, though vests will remain optional.—
Star Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
4 May 2026
-
Accountability is not optional.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
On Thursday, Fleury’s needless high-sticking penalty led to Holloway’s power-play goal.—
Murat Ates,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
But then this mofo goes and memorizes totally needless ingredients in bacon ranch chicken sandwiches.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
So to be honest, that’s pretty irrelevant.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
4 May 2026
-
At this point, though, long-term success may be considered irrelevant within the department.—
Quinta Jurecic,
The Atlantic,
3 May 2026
Adjective
-
Senegal, for example, has banned nonessential foreign travel by ministers to cut costs.—
Judd Devermont,
semafor.com,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The company said nonessential spending at its stores has been weak as consumers pull back amid economic uncertainty and rising gasoline prices.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, Kimmel’s defenders have said outcry over a joke is unwarranted and an attack on free speech.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The lawsuit claims that following this, Pope was given unwarranted scrutiny of his work by the deputy chief, including requiring him to rewrite a report five times, which court records say was the first in a series of escalating retaliation.—
Ben Wheeler
April 28,
Kansas City Star,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Museums routinely sell works from their collection, sometimes pieces that are not top-notch or that are considered redundant, as a way to raise funds for new acquisitions, and in 2000, the museum put the painting up for sale.—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Some items might appear redundant but are actually quite useful.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Ornaments are no more dispensable than foundations.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Many people are trying to protect themselves from becoming dispensable as the role of AI expands in the workplace, said Erik Brynjolfsson, an economics professor at Stanford University and the director of the Stanford Digital Economy Lab.—
Annie Nova,
CNBC,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unnecessary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unnecessary. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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