needlessly
Americanadverb
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Andrea Minichiello Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, says any legislation brought forward would "needlessly restrict freedom of speech and prayer".
From BBC • Jun. 25, 2026
"Henry was far from the first to so needlessly lose his life, and I fear he won’t be the last."
From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026
The White House and Vought’s office declined to comment, but the administration has argued the agency was needlessly aggressive and wasteful.
From Salon • Apr. 12, 2026
Dario was horrified as he watched his colleagues be fired one by one, which he considered needlessly cruel.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 28, 2026
Applying the praise-word “champion” to Adolf Hitler feels a bit odd, and I don’t wish to be needlessly provocative.
From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
