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 Adjust existing restrictions so that student-athletes preparing for the next stage in their careers are not unnecessarily deprived of the advice and counsel of agents and other competent professionals, but without professionalizing intercollegiate athletics. 10. Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2024 Putting people on a Board unnecessarily can harm a company. Chris Morris, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2024 But French’s latest twist unnecessarily swerves in the opposite direction. Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2024 Opponents said the bill would unnecessarily disenfranchise voters. Katie Bernard, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2024 When The New York Times added color to its print front page in 1997, some people complained that the staid paper had become unnecessarily flashy, though such gripes faded quickly as readers grew used to the change. Victor Mather, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2024 Only to be out three years and have an encounter with this racist, incompetent officer who took his life unnecessarily. Char Adams, NBC News, 27 Feb. 2024 As a result, any requirement for in-person work isn't a realistic option and, more importantly, unnecessarily limits our ability to find the best. Robert Giovannini, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 That's where the infamous Unknown character appears from behind a mirror and starts unnecessarily scaring the kids. Megan Farokhmanesh, WIRED, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unnecessarily.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1565, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unnecessarily was in 1565

Dictionary Entries Near unnecessarily

Cite this Entry

“Unnecessarily.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unnecessarily. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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