needless

adjective

need·​less ˈnēd-ləs How to pronounce needless (audio)
: not needed : unnecessary
needless waste
needlessly adverb
needlessness noun
Phrases
needless to say
: as is self-evident or to be expected

Examples of needless in a Sentence

needless expenditures that pushed the construction project way over budget
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.
The dullard cousin of the repetition family is redundancy, that almost onomatopoeic term for needless recapitulation. Namwali Serpell, The New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2025 The bizarre case of Luigi Mangione should also be considered a needless stain on Baltimore. Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, Baltimore Sun, 6 Mar. 2025 While the world is transfixed on America’s needless alienation of longtime American ally Ukraine, another American ally has come under fire from the administration. Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025 And needless to say, now that the new star is here, his way of business-going will permeate the entire roster. Tim Britton, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for needless

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of needless was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Needless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/needless. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

needless

adjective
need·​less ˈnēd-ləs How to pronounce needless (audio)
needlessly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on needless

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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