as in unnecessary
not needed by the circumstances or to accomplish an end
he writes very spare prose, with nary an inessential word to be found
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Recent Examples of inessential
Running a taxing three hours, this first part of a quartet of films is littered with inessential scenes and characters that go nowhere, taking far too long to connect its messy plot threads.
—
David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 May 2024
His standup act has favored proudly inessential observations about driving, dating and air travel — workaday zingers to which citizens of all political stripes are equally vulnerable.
—Marc Tracy, New York Times, 4 May 2024
In a world where that first season didn’t exist — but law-enforcement on its own found enough new evidence to finally bring Durst to trial — these episodes might offer an interesting, if inessential, account of the concluding investigation and trial.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 18 Apr. 2024
Set for life thanks to residuals, the Seinfeld co-creator meanders around Los Angeles’ wealthiest neighborhoods, playing golf, making scenes in restaurants, and taking on inessential projects.
—TIME, 2 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for inessential 
David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 May 2024
His standup act has favored proudly inessential observations about driving, dating and air travel — workaday zingers to which citizens of all political stripes are equally vulnerable.
—Marc Tracy, New York Times, 4 May 2024
In a world where that first season didn’t exist — but law-enforcement on its own found enough new evidence to finally bring Durst to trial — these episodes might offer an interesting, if inessential, account of the concluding investigation and trial.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 18 Apr. 2024
Set for life thanks to residuals, the Seinfeld co-creator meanders around Los Angeles’ wealthiest neighborhoods, playing golf, making scenes in restaurants, and taking on inessential projects.
—TIME, 2 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for inessential
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Cite this Entry
“Inessential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inessential. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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