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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Recent Examples of unnecessary
Denver will collect $50 million less in tax revenue than expected this year, triggering some immediate cost-saving measures like the hiring freeze and limiting any unnecessary staff spending.
—
Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 22 May 2025
For one, wine clubs eliminate the (unnecessary, albeit omnipresent for some) intimidation factor of choosing a bottle of wine.
—Betty Gold Kider, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 May 2025
And unlike species that evolved to shed unnecessary traits, the Greenland shark has kept its ability to see intact, even if it is modified for its shadowy world.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
By adjusting power consumption dynamically, the tool could help reduce unnecessary background activity and extend battery life—especially during idle periods or when apps are not in active use.
—Tahar Rajab, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for unnecessary
Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 22 May 2025
For one, wine clubs eliminate the (unnecessary, albeit omnipresent for some) intimidation factor of choosing a bottle of wine.
—Betty Gold Kider, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 May 2025
And unlike species that evolved to shed unnecessary traits, the Greenland shark has kept its ability to see intact, even if it is modified for its shadowy world.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
By adjusting power consumption dynamically, the tool could help reduce unnecessary background activity and extend battery life—especially during idle periods or when apps are not in active use.
—Tahar Rajab, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for unnecessary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unnecessary
Adjective
-
The clean formula contains a light shimmer to help skin look extra radiant in the sun.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
-
For those who don’t want more AI, or to pay extra, Adobe is introducing a new plan called Creative Cloud Standard, which still gives you access to all of the company’s desktop apps, plus 25 image-generation credits every month.—
James Peckham,
PC Magazine,
20 May 2025
Adjective
-
Inside the cozy cockpit, leather, burl wood, and side curtains with sliding plastic windows take the driver back many decades to a time when radios were an optional nuisance—all that mattered was the vehicle and the road.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
30 May 2025
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Place the basil leaves (and optional lemon zest) into a clean glass jar.—
Claudia Alarcón,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
President Donald Trump said Sunday has criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of causing needless deaths with a massive assault on Ukrainian cities.—
Jana Kasperkevic,
NBC news,
26 May 2025
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Many teens and even older persons have been impacted, resulting in needless suffering and death.—
Robert Glatter,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
Adjective
-
Executives Chris Van Gorder, Scripps Health YES: The decision was made to add parking meters at Balboa Park; starting six months earlier is irrelevant.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 May 2025
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If investors are now satisfied, the underlying legal structure is irrelevant.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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The chain stocks more nonessential merchandise compared to competitors such as Walmart (WMT) and Costco (COST).—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
21 May 2025
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Ensure infrastructure and code are designed for segmentation, allowing easy removal of nonessential components. 7.—
Deepa Shekhar,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
Adjective
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Earlier this week, Gates took to Instagram to give his unwarranted opinion on the couple’s relationship.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
23 Apr. 2025
-
Congratulations to Harvard University for fighting back against the Trump administration’s unseemly efforts to use federal dollars to try to exert unwarranted control over higher education.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Conduct an audit to address redundant, outdated, trivial and conflicting content.—
Philip Brittan,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
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Kendall said both planes and air traffic control centers have redundant systems that serve as backups if a primary component fails.—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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And the hierarchy must consider who else is dispensable and at what price.—
Henry Flynn,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
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To become a machine, after all, is to become usable and, perhaps, dispensable.—
James Poniewozik,
New York Times,
14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unnecessary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unnecessary. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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