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
The ratepayers pick up the tab, and the company makes its 10% profit, even if the new equipment ends up being unnecessary.
—
Conor Harrison,
Fortune,
23 June 2026
The work addresses a longstanding challenge in lightweight airframe design by increasing structural strength and stability without adding unnecessary weight.
—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
22 June 2026
Seven of the last remaining patients remained there voluntarily, but Perryman was forced to stay as the result of a controversial quarantine order that was deemed unnecessary even by some health officials.
—
Josh Funk,
Chicago Tribune,
22 June 2026
First of all, the suffering of the Iranian people has been horrific in the context of this unnecessary conflict.
—
ABC News,
21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unnecessary
Conor Harrison,
Fortune,
23 June 2026
The work addresses a longstanding challenge in lightweight airframe design by increasing structural strength and stability without adding unnecessary weight.
—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
22 June 2026
Seven of the last remaining patients remained there voluntarily, but Perryman was forced to stay as the result of a controversial quarantine order that was deemed unnecessary even by some health officials.
—
Josh Funk,
Chicago Tribune,
22 June 2026
First of all, the suffering of the Iranian people has been horrific in the context of this unnecessary conflict.
—
ABC News,
21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unnecessary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unnecessary
Adjective
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July 4th fireworks and celebrations hold extra meaning in 2026 as the United States celebrates the 250th birthday of the nation.
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As for oats, consider sneaking in some extra protein to round out their nutritional profile.
Adjective
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The company is selling highly customizable electric vehicles that come with few standard features, but plenty of optional add-ons.
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An optional passenger display also makes its debut on the BMW X5.
Adjective
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Acting on a shaky result carries real downsides too, from needless restrictive diets to unnecessary supplements.
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The first is that Messi could feasibly have been sent off in the first half for a needless lunge, which saw his studs scrape the back of Algeria captain Aissa Mandi’s right leg.
Adjective
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Without ownership, documentation becomes a museum exhibit that may be informative but irrelevant.
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No detail, no matter how incomplete or far-fetched, was irrelevant to their search.
Adjective
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In response, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued travel health notices for both the Congo and Uganda, advising Americans to avoid nonessential travel to the provinces surrounding the outbreak location.
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More than 1,200 schools have shut and transport has been disrupted, while train passengers have been advised to avoid nonessential travel.
Adjective
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His 64th-minute foul, which the Americans believed was unwarranted and accidental, put the host nation in a precarious position despite being heavy favorites to move on to the Round of 16.
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None of which is an unwarranted attack on trucking as a mode of shipment.
Adjective
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Simple data hygiene—from each employee reviewing and cleaning their work files to the removal of redundant, outdated or unneeded data in internal databases—will save resources and create less e-waste.
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These are arranged in a 2+1 redundant, Tier III-compliant setup that prevents power interruptions through battery-to-generator transitions.
Adjective
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Ornaments are no more dispensable than foundations.
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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.
Cite this Entry
“Unnecessary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unnecessary. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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