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
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
-
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
-
At the top of the range, GT-Line S can be had with a heat pump for an extra £900 at £43,895 ($56,700).—
Trinity Francis,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
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 new Certificate of Need process would shorten many of those time frames, with the period to determine the completion of applications shrinking from 30 to just three days followed by decision deadlines cut in half and public hearings made optional, according to a release from Anwar.—
Livi Stanford,
Hartford Courant,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
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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The day of protest, first shared about a month ago by Chicago-area meditation and mindfulness educator John Schwarz, calls on shoppers to halt nonessential purchases online and in stores.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC News,
28 Feb. 2025
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By the end of the month, the European Union had barred nonessential travel from outside the bloc, cruise ships were under a no-sail order in U.S. waters and state governors had issued stay-at-home orders to prevent the spread of the virus.—
Danial Adkison,
New York Times,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
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 13 Mar. 2025.
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