adverb
Uncommon
unnecessarily
Unnecessarily (adverb) means In a way that is not needed. Example: “He apologized unnecessarily for something that wasn't his fault.”
adverb
1
In a way that is not needed.
"He unnecessarily repeated much of what others had covered."
"He apologized unnecessarily for something that wasn't his fault."
"The meeting dragged on unnecessarily long."
How to use unnecessarily
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDoing more than is actually required.
Common pairings
unnecessarily complicated
unnecessarily harsh
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more unnecessarily
- Superlative
- most unnecessarily
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He apologized _____ for something that wasn't his fault.
Etymology
From unnecessary + -ly.
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for unnecessarily
See all rhymes for unnecessarily →Frequently asked questions
What does “unnecessarily” mean?
The word “unnecessarily” means in a way that is not needed. In plain terms, doing more than is actually required.
How do you use “unnecessarily” in a sentence?
Here is “unnecessarily” used in a sentence: “He apologized unnecessarily for something that wasn't his fault.”
What is the opposite of “unnecessarily”?
The opposite of “unnecessarily” — its antonyms — is necessarily.
What part of speech is “unnecessarily”?
“Unnecessarily” is an adverb.
Is “unnecessarily” a common word?
“Unnecessarily” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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