Unnecessarily: meaning, definitions and examples

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unnecessarily

[ʌnˈnɛsɪsərɪli ]

Definition

^{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?

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.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word combines 'un-', a prefix meaning 'not', with 'necessary', which comes from the Latin 'necessarius', meaning 'inevitable' or 'required'.
In English, it started being used around the 15th century, evolving from Middle English forms.
The suffix '-ly' transforms adjectives into adverbs, indicating how actions are performed.

Psychology

Research shows that people can feel overwhelmed by unnecessary extras in their environments, leading to decision fatigue.
Cognitive overload can happen when too much unnecessary information is presented, making it hard to focus on what truly matters.
In communication, unnecessary details can dilute the main message, making it less effective.

Literature

Writers often critique unnecessary descriptions in stories, arguing that they can distract readers from the main plot.
In Shakespearean plays, unnecessary dialogue can serve as comic relief or create tension by drawing out a scene.
Famous literary works frequently highlight the unnecessary as a theme, questioning societal norms and expectations.

Pop Culture

In modern life, trends like 'minimalism' have emerged as a response to the unnecessary clutter of consumerism.
Popular social media trends often parody unnecessary drama or over-the-top reactions, reflecting what is considered excessive.
Shows like 'Friends' use unnecessary misunderstandings for comedic effect, highlighting how such situations can arise in everyday life.

Science

In scientific studies, unnecessary variables can lead to confusing results, emphasizing the importance of streamlined experiments.
The principle of parsimony, or Occam's razor, suggests that unnecessary assumptions should be avoided in problem-solving.
Extraneous materials in experiments can obscure true outcomes, showcasing the negative effect of the unnecessary on accuracy.

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

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.

...
10869 misrepresentation
10870 multinational
10871 poster
10872 unnecessarily
10873 benevolence
10874 lexical
10875 lingering
...