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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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
-
That can range from an extra $5 for the same-day delivery of flowers to $20 for overnight chocolates.—
Betty Lin-Fisher,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
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The mayor’s office says the measure would provide additional tax revenue for the city and extra beds for visitors during the 2028 Summer Olympics, with the measure expiring at the end of that year.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, Victor Hedman skated yet again Sunday morning in the team’s optional practice.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
In a fireside chat with Sarah Jones, senior editor of strategic content at Sourcing Journal, Lewkowitz said the industry’s shift toward transparency is no longer optional, but a fundamental requirement for survival in a volatile climate and a stricter regulatory landscape.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
27 Apr. 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
-
An irrelevant incident in isolation.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
That made Legacy a business success well before its actual launch and ensured that any subsequent long-term player interest would be at least somewhat financially irrelevant to the companies involved.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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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
-
Animal advocates have long pushed the city to legalize TNR, saying the practice reduces unwarranted litters, euthanasia and shelter intake while improving the health of feral cats.—
Claire Wang,
Oc Register,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The suit does not specify what the unwarranted risk was.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
22 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
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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
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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 3 May. 2026.
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