needless

[ need-lis ]

adjective

1. unnecessary; not needed or wanted:

   a needless waste of food.

   Synonyms: uncalled-for, pointless, gratuitous, unessential

needless

/ ˈniːdlɪs /

adjective

1. not required or desired; unnecessary

Derived Forms

• ˈneedlessly, adverb
• ˈneedlessness, noun

Other Words From

• needless·ly adverb
• needless·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of needless¹

First recorded in 1175–1225, needless is from the Middle English word nedles. See need, -less

Example Sentences

That process took days, involved fax machines, and, needless to say, offered no scratch-and-win prizes.

From Fortune

The steps were needed to avoid risking “needless suffering and death,” he said.

From Fortune

Decoupling also implies needless fear of head-to-head competition, which we simply have to face and in which we continue to enjoy significant advantage.

From Ozy

It just seems to be a silly and needless risk given what has happened in the last 48 hours with the president.

From Washington Post

As a health care consumer in America, you are far more likely to be steered toward needless tests and procedures than away from them.

From Fortune

His Oxford shirts and matching boxers are, needless to say, woven.

From The Daily Beast

The airline industry objects that sometimes these deployable recorders can pop out without cause, spreading needless alarm.

From The Daily Beast

Needless to say, Juxiao was thrilled to see them and gave each of them a lot of love and affection.

From The Daily Beast

Needless to say, this does not enamor her to the powers that be in Cameroon.

From The Daily Beast

Needless to say, Howie disagrees with that characterization.

From The Daily Beast

Because if that was to atone for man's sin, it was needless, as God could have forgiven man without Himself suffering.

From Project Gutenberg

Needless to say, the Worcestershire baronet had returned to his ancestral acres a sadder but a wiser man.

From Project Gutenberg

In writing K. I try to convey the truth in terms which will neither give him needless anxiety or undue confidence.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Pontellier had a vague suspicion of it which he thought it needless to mention at that late day.

From Project Gutenberg

The needless insertions of little words in many of the 15th-century MSS.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• excessive
• gratuitous
• pointless