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.
Your provider should be willing to be patient and refrain from directing you to push against your instincts or intervening unnecessarily. — Carson Meyer, People.com, 26 Mar. 2025 Córdoba’s decision to handle the ball unnecessarily spoiled their efforts and prevented Panama from celebrating their first continental title. — Felipe Cardenas, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025 Critics weren’t on board, though, with several calling the choice to have De Niro star opposite himself was unnecessarily confusing. — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 24 Mar. 2025 Critics argue that the lack of a minimum threshold or tolerance for incidental supplies to non-registered customers makes the regime unnecessarily rigid. — Aleksandra Bal, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025 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 Apr. 2025.

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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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