Unnecessarily: meaning, definitions and examples

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unnecessarily

 

[ ʌnˈnɛsɪsərɪli ]

Adverb
Context #1 | Adverb

in a way that is not necessary

Unnecessarily means in a way that is not necessary or required. It is used to describe actions, statements, or situations that could have been avoided or omitted without affecting the outcome. This adverb indicates that something is done or said without a valid reason or purpose.

Synonyms

needlessly, pointlessly, superfluously.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unnecessarily

This word is generally used in situations where something is done without a good reason or more than what is required. It often implies that an action could be avoided as it lacks necessity.

  • She unnecessarily bought a new phone even though her old one was working perfectly.
  • Don't worry unnecessarily about the project; everything is under control.
needlessly

This word is often used to describe actions or efforts that are wasted or not required, often highlighting the inefficiency or redundancy of the action.

  • You needlessly complicated the process by adding extra steps.
  • They continued to argue needlessly, achieving nothing in the end.
pointlessly

This word is used in situations where an action or effort lacks a clear purpose, goal, or end result. It conveys a stronger sense of futility and uselessness.

  • He pointlessly tried to convince her to change her mind, but she wouldn't listen.
  • Spending hours on pointlessly scrolling through social media won't solve your problems.
superfluously

This word is used to describe something that is more than necessary, often contributing to excess without adding value. It can imply a degree of redundancy.

  • The report was filled with superfluously detailed descriptions that didn't add to the main points.
  • He superfluously apologized multiple times, even after being forgiven.

Examples of usage

  • He unnecessarily spent all his money on things he didn't need.
  • She unnecessarily made a big deal out of a small mistake.
  • The teacher unnecessarily criticized the student in front of the whole class.

Translations

Translations of the word "unnecessarily" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desnecessariamente

🇮🇳 अनावश्यक रूप से

🇩🇪 unnötig

🇮🇩 tidak perlu

🇺🇦 непотрібно

🇵🇱 niepotrzebnie

🇯🇵 不必要に (fuhitsuyou ni)

🇫🇷 inutilement

🇪🇸 innecesariamente

🇹🇷 gereksiz yere

🇰🇷 불필요하게 (bulpil-yohage)

🇸🇦 بلا ضرورة (bila darura)

🇨🇿 zbytečně

🇸🇰 zbytočne

🇨🇳 不必要地 (bù bìyào de)

🇸🇮 nepotrebno

🇮🇸 óþarfa

🇰🇿 қажетсіз

🇬🇪 არაუმეტესად (arau met’ulad)

🇦🇿 lazımsız

🇲🇽 innecesariamente

Etymology

The word 'unnecessarily' is derived from the word 'necessary,' which comes from the Latin word 'necessarius,' meaning 'indispensable' or 'essential.' The prefix 'un-' is added to 'necessary' to create the opposite meaning. The concept of necessity has been a fundamental aspect of human behavior and decision-making throughout history, influencing various aspects of society and culture.

See also: necessarily, unnecessary.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,872, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.