Synonyms for

Needless

Verb / ˈni:dlʌs / Another word for needless — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

Not needed; unnecessary.

Synonyms & similar words

uncalledfor phonographneedle needle acerateleaf gratuitous goad unnecessary superfluous unwarranted useless pointless extraneous redundant excessive surplus spare unrequired unessential nonessential inessential dispensable optional unimportant trivial negligible insignificant

Synonyms by register

Formal

superfluous unnecessary gratuitous redundant

Informal

pointless useless wasteful uncalled-for

Literary

vain idle unavailing

Antonyms

necessary essential required vital important crucial indispensable

Common collocations

  • needless to say
  • needless worry
  • needless to mention
  • needless suffering
  • needless expense
  • needless to add

Word family

adverb needlessly

Usage note

Often used in the phrase 'needless to say'. While 'needless' means 'not necessary', it can sometimes imply that something is also wasteful or harmful.

Example sentences

  1. The extra sugar in the recipe is needless.
  2. The packaging for the product was needless and wasteful.
  3. The additional steps in the process were needless and slowed down production.
  4. The unnecessary expenses were deemed needless by the company.
  5. The extra decorations on the cake were deemed needless.

Quotes

  • The greatest waste in the world is the difference between what we are and what we could become. - Ben Herbster
  • We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. - Winston Churchill
  • The most useless thing to do is to do something well that need not be done at all. - Peter Drucker

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