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Unneeded: meaning, definitions and examples

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unneeded

 

[ˌʌnˈniːdɪd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

feeling

Not required or necessary; superfluous.

Synonyms

excessive, superfluous, unnecessary, unnecessary.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unneeded

Use when something is simply not required or not wanted in a straightforward and neutral manner.

  • I have an unneeded extra ticket for the concert.
  • Your effort to explain this was unneeded; I already understood.
unnecessary

Use when something is not needed and often implies that doing or having it would be a waste of time, resources, or effort.

  • It was unnecessary to bring an umbrella, as it didn't rain.
  • All this extra paperwork seems unnecessary.
superfluous

Use when something is beyond what is necessary and serves no purpose, often implying redundancy in a formal or slightly negative manner.

  • The additional details in his story were superfluous and confusing.
  • Buying expensive gadgets can be superfluous if you're on a budget.
excessive

Use when something is more than what is considered reasonable, often implying an overabundance or wastefulness.

  • The excessive use of plastic is harming the environment.
  • His reaction to the issue was excessive and unwarranted.

Examples of usage

  • It was an unneeded distraction from the main task.
  • Her comments were unneeded and only served to upset him further.
Context #2 | Adjective

object

Not wanted or required.

Synonyms

extra, surplus, unnecessary, unwanted.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unneeded

Used when something is not required or not necessary for a specific situation or purpose.

  • The extra chair is unneeded for the meeting
  • We have enough seats
unwanted

Used when something is not desired or liked, often having a negative connotation.

  • The emails were unwanted and considered spam
  • His assistance was unwanted because it complicated things
unnecessary

Used when something is not needed or required, often implying that it could have been avoided.

  • Buying that expensive gadget was unnecessary
  • The lecture was full of unnecessary details
extra

Used when something is more than what is usual or needed; often implies something additional or in excess, but not necessarily negative.

  • We have extra food if anyone wants seconds
  • She brought an extra set of clothes just in case
surplus

Used in situations where there is an excess amount of something, often in economic or inventory contexts.

  • The farm had a surplus of crops this year
  • The company sold off its surplus inventory at a discount

Examples of usage

  • She had a collection of unneeded toys that she decided to donate.
  • The extra supplies were unneeded and took up valuable space.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The prefix 'un-' means 'not' and is used to show negation in many words.
  • The word 'needed' comes from the Old English 'nedig,' which means 'necessary' or 'to be of use.'
  • Combining them creates a clear sense of something that lacks necessity.

Psychology

  • Studies show that reducing possessions can lead to less stress, as fewer items mean less decision-making about what to keep.
  • The concept of minimalism emphasizes removing unneeded items to create a more focused and calm living space.
  • Feeling unneeded can impact self-esteem, as people often tie their value to their roles or contributions.

Literature

  • The term has appeared in various literary works, where characters often confront unneeded possessions or emotional baggage during their journeys.
  • In poetry, the feeling of unneeded can symbolize societal pressures to conform to unnecessary standards.
  • Viktor Frankl’s 'Man's Search for Meaning' touches on letting go of unneeded pain to find true purpose in life.

Environmental Impact

  • Every year, millions of tons of unneeded items are discarded, contributing to landfill waste and environmental degradation.
  • Movements encouraging upcycling and recycling aim to reduce the impact of unneeded items on the planet.
  • Awareness of consumerism has risen, prompting people to think twice before purchasing unneeded products.

Pop Culture

  • Songs and films often explore themes of letting go of unneeded relationships or habits for personal growth.
  • In popular shows, characters may undergo transformations by shedding unneeded traits or possessions to improve their lives.
  • Social media trends encourage decluttering, with influencers sharing strategies for identifying and parting with unneeded items.

Translations

Translations of the word "unneeded" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desnecessário

🇮🇳 अनावश्यक

🇩🇪 unnötig

🇮🇩 tidak diperlukan

🇺🇦 непотрібний

🇵🇱 niepotrzebny

🇯🇵 不要

🇫🇷 inutile

🇪🇸 innecesario

🇹🇷 gereksiz

🇰🇷 불필요한

🇸🇦 غير ضروري

🇨🇿 nepotřebný

🇸🇰 nepotrebný

🇨🇳 不需要

🇸🇮 nepotreben

🇮🇸 óþarfur

🇰🇿 қажетсіз

🇬🇪 სახმარი

🇦🇿 lazımsız

🇲🇽 innecesario

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,761, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.