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

Recent Examples on the Web

However, there are some strategies that may be unnecessarily tax inefficient. —Jonathan I. Shenkman, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025

Around that time, Carolina snapped into form, preventing clears and forcing Washington’s skaters — particularly center Lars Eller, who unnecessarily played a Carolina high stick to keep the puck in the zone — into poor decisions. —Sean Gentille, New York Times, 13 May 2025

To achieve more even drying and cut down on unnecessarily long drying time, aim to sort your laundry by fabric type or weight. —Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 May 2025

Here’s what to know: Don’t change lanes unnecessarily. —Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 8 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1565, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unnecessarily

• extraordinarily
• hereditarily
• pecuniarily
• preliminarily
• airily
• caroli
• merrily
• verily
• warily
• wearily
• arbitrarily
• customarily

Kids 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