needless

adjective

need·​less ˈnēd-ləs How to pronounce needless (audio)
Synonyms of needlessnext
: not needed : unnecessary
needless waste
needlessly adverb
needlessness noun
see also:
needless to say

Synonyms of needless

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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.
Time and money are being lost to needless bureaucracy, and people are going hungry and losing health care as a result. — Abdullah Shihipar, STAT, 1 Sep. 2026 The trade war with Canada is needless and will take a long time to be restored. — Tom Jurkowsky, Baltimore Sun, 31 Aug. 2026 But administrative burdens are a technology of annoyance, degradation, discrimination, and needless extraction. — Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026 Still, the economic particulars underpinning this needless antagonism essentially are beside the point. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 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

Phrases Containing needless

Rhymes for needless

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Browse Nearby Words

needle spike rush
needless
needless to say
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Cite this Entry

“Needless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/needless. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

needless

adjective
need·​less ˈnēd-ləs How to pronounce needless (audio)
: unnecessary
needlessly adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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