unnecessary

adjective

ˌən-ˈne-sə-ˌser-ē How to pronounce unnecessary (audio)
Definition of unnecessarynext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of unnecessary Europe has long resisted air conditioning as noisy, an eyesore on architectural facades and unnecessary, as brutal summer heat has been relatively short-lived. — Anniek Bao,evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 2 July 2026 The company believes separating trim functions from full system startup could improve convenience and reduce unnecessary power use. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026 Lawyers have been accused of unnecessary complexity, deleterious delay, excessive cost, and self-interest for centuries. — Joseph Andrew, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 Cody Hess, an associate government program analyst for the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, said these differences in departments’ needs for in-person meetings make a sweeping return-to-office order unnecessary. — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for unnecessary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unnecessary
  1. extra
  2. optional
  3. needless
  4. irrelevant
  5. nonessential
  6. unwarranted
  7. redundant
  8. dispensable
Adjective
  • That kind of granular information is important for emergency responders in the field and planners who make decisions about calling for extra help or ordering evacuations.
    — Eric Niiler, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Each extra year of training, for example, translates to $143,000 in additional annual income.
    — Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 5 July 2026
Definition of extra
Adjective
  • The company is selling highly customizable electric vehicles that come with few standard features, but plenty of optional add-ons.
    — Charles Singh, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • An optional passenger display also makes its debut on the BMW X5.
    — Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of optional
Adjective
  • Lazy prompts or needless iterations can multiply expenses fivefold to tenfold.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • Acting on a shaky result carries real downsides too, from needless restrictive diets to unnecessary supplements.
    — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026
Definition of needless
Adjective
  • Horowitz said Lunas Campos’ criminal history is irrelevant to his detention.
    — Perla Trevizo, ProPublica, 3 July 2026
  • The Fan Footage Is What Counts Your concert experience is almost irrelevant.
    — Jesse Kirshbaum, SPIN, 3 July 2026
Definition of irrelevant
Adjective
  • Authorities have also banned demonstrations, concerts, and graduation ceremonies during the summit, while nonessential state employees have been placed on leave to ease congestion.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 July 2026
  • The city manager ordered taverns, theaters, and nonessential retail and service businesses to close for the duration of the shortage and set up public water stations in neighborhoods that had completely lost service.
    — Kansas City Public Library staff, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026
Definition of nonessential
Adjective
  • 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.
    — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026
  • None of which is an unwarranted attack on trucking as a mode of shipment.
    — John Tamny, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Definition of unwarranted
Adjective
  • 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.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • These are arranged in a 2+1 redundant, Tier III-compliant setup that prevents power interruptions through battery-to-generator transitions.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 June 2026
Definition of redundant
Adjective
  • The 23-year-old has the kind of athleticism Green has not possessed in a decade, but that does not mean Green’s skillset is dispensable.
    — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 29 June 2026
  • Ornaments are no more dispensable than foundations.
    — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 23 Apr. 2026
Definition of dispensable

Browse Nearby Words

unnaturally
unnecessary
unneeded
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Cite this Entry

“Unnecessary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unnecessary. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on unnecessary

Nglish: Translation of unnecessary for Spanish Speakers

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