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
Here's how to avoid them to increase your chances of attracting hummingbirds while reducing unnecessary efforts and expenses.
—
Lauren David, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Mar. 2025
The big picture: The blackout calls on consumers to avoid all unnecessary purchases, either in-person or online, from midnight Thursday through midnight Friday.
—Kelly Tyko, Axios, 28 Feb. 2025
The Next Generation Energy Act (H.B. 1035) declares the state’s support for nuclear energy while offering no incentives for nuclear investment and discouraging new nuclear projects with expensive labor construction requirements and unnecessary DEI policies that do nothing to reduce energy costs.
—Jesse Pippy, Baltimore Sun, 27 Feb. 2025
Officials say these filings are often duplicated in other offices and create unnecessary work.
—Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unnecessary
Lauren David, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Mar. 2025
The big picture: The blackout calls on consumers to avoid all unnecessary purchases, either in-person or online, from midnight Thursday through midnight Friday.
—Kelly Tyko, Axios, 28 Feb. 2025
The Next Generation Energy Act (H.B. 1035) declares the state’s support for nuclear energy while offering no incentives for nuclear investment and discouraging new nuclear projects with expensive labor construction requirements and unnecessary DEI policies that do nothing to reduce energy costs.
—Jesse Pippy, Baltimore Sun, 27 Feb. 2025
Officials say these filings are often duplicated in other offices and create unnecessary work.
—Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unnecessary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unnecessary
Adjective
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The Cubs also believe the 6-foot-4 defender can be a backup shortstop and an extra outfielder.—
Patrick Mooney,
The Athletic,
10 Mar. 2025
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Then, keep scrolling to shop more of our favorite skincare products to make your skin look extra glowy.—
Maggie Horton,
People.com,
9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Photo : Darin Schnabel, courtesy of RM Sotheby's The interior is evocative of a bygone era where toggle switches were standard and seat belts were optional.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
7 Mar. 2025
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The board agreed and voted unanimously to make the class optional this coming schoolyear instead of mandatory.—
Marsha Sutton,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The dullard cousin of the repetition family is redundancy, that almost onomatopoeic term for needless recapitulation.—
Namwali Serpell,
The New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2025
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The bizarre case of Luigi Mangione should also be considered a needless stain on Baltimore.—
Baltimore Sun Editorial Board,
Baltimore Sun,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The rationale is straightforward: like early-stage startups in the dot-com era, some of these assets may eventually prove valuable, whereas many others will likely become irrelevant.—
Christian Catalini,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
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What’s practical for one person may be irrelevant for another.—
Chris Gallagher,
USA TODAY,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Participants have also been asked to not spend any money on gas or at major retailers, and not to use their credit or debit cards for any nonessential spending.—
Matt Robison,
Newsweek,
25 Feb. 2025
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With nonessential federal employees given the day off, most government offices such as courthouses, Department of Motor Vehicles, and public schools and libraries are closed on Presidents Day.—
Anne Marie Lee,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Commenters on Reddit overwhelmingly sided with the poster, with many arguing that Mary's reaction was unwarranted.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
2 Mar. 2025
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Mike Steele, spokesman for the governor’s office of homeland security and emergency preparedness, insists such comparisons are unwarranted.—
Adam Crafton,
The Athletic,
8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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In the event of another citywide emergency, the impact on the electric grid may mean there will be no redundant heating and cooking source, leading to an unprecedented catastrophe.—
Kris DeLair,
New York Daily News,
7 Mar. 2025
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The reductions and reorganization prioritize customer service by streamlining redundant layers of management, the agency said.—
Jonathan Shorman,
Kansas City Star,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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To the Soviet state, the lives and the health of the local population in these remote areas were dispensable.—
Franziska Exeler,
The Dial,
18 Feb. 2025
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But last night’s halftime show painted Drake as a dispensable henchman and America as the ultimate adversary.—
Clover Hope,
Pitchfork,
10 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unnecessary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unnecessary. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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