unnecessarily

adverb

un·​nec·​es·​sar·​i·​ly ˌən-ˌne-sə-ˈser-ə-lē How to pronounce unnecessarily (audio)
: not by necessity : to an unnecessary degree
unnecessarily harsh criticism

Examples of unnecessarily in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
While preserving a pitcher's health ahead of a possible trade, the Cardinals also wanted to showcase his ability to interested clubs without unnecessarily increasing his workload. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 The report detailed an incident in July 2020 when prosecutors said officers unnecessarily escalated an argument with Joseph Ahr, 64, while trying to search for one of his family members. — Brandon Goldner, CBS News, 30 July 2026 Montana interrupts himself, unnecessarily minding his manners. — Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 30 July 2026 Knowing when to seek testing and what a workup involves can be the difference between managing symptoms early and living with them unnecessarily. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for unnecessarily

Word History

First Known Use

1565, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unnecessarily was in 1565

Rhymes for unnecessarily

See All Rhymes for unnecessarily

Browse Nearby Words

unnecessaries
unnecessarily
unnecessariness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unnecessarily.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unnecessarily. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

unnecessarily

adverb
un·​nec·​es·​sar·​i·​ly ˌən-ˌnes-ə-ˈser-ə-lē How to pronounce unnecessarily (audio)
1
: not by necessity
spent money unnecessarily
2
: to an unnecessary degree
an unnecessarily harsh punishment

More from Merriam-Webster on unnecessarily

Nglish: Translation of unnecessarily for Spanish Speakers

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