unnecessarily
adverb
un·nec·es·sar·i·ly
ˌən-ˌne-sə-ˈser-ə-lē 
: not by necessity : to an unnecessary degree
unnecessarily harsh criticism
Examples of unnecessarily in a Sentence
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Jill Biden’s new memoir and the tour to promote it are reigniting frustrations among some Democrats who feel the former first lady is unnecessarily relitigating the 2024 presidential campaign.
—
Praveena Somasundaram, Washington Post, 6 June 2026
According to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, Jacob Porter, 43, is one who opted to unnecessarily wish his ex-girlfriend a happy birthday.
—Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026
Utilities argue those returns are necessary to attract investors and finance major construction projects, while consumer advocates contend excessive returns unnecessarily drive up customer bills.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2026
Trump rejected military options to seize or destroy the material as unnecessarily risky, according to officials familiar with the discussions.
—Vivian Salama, The Atlantic, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unnecessarily
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Praveena Somasundaram, Washington Post, 6 June 2026
According to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, Jacob Porter, 43, is one who opted to unnecessarily wish his ex-girlfriend a happy birthday.
—Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026
Utilities argue those returns are necessary to attract investors and finance major construction projects, while consumer advocates contend excessive returns unnecessarily drive up customer bills.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2026
Trump rejected military options to seize or destroy the material as unnecessarily risky, according to officials familiar with the discussions.
—Vivian Salama, The Atlantic, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unnecessarily
Cite this Entry
“Unnecessarily.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unnecessarily. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unnecessarily
adverb
un·nec·es·sar·i·ly
ˌən-ˌnes-ə-ˈser-ə-lē
1
: not by necessity
spent money unnecessarily
2
: to an unnecessary degree
an unnecessarily harsh punishment
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