unnecessariness

English

Etymology

unnecessary +‎ -ness

Noun

unnecessariness (uncountable)

1. The state or characteristic of being unnecessary.
   • 1808, Josiah Pratt, editor, Works of Joseph Hall, D.D, volume 9, London, page 9:

     The unavoidableness of which effects hath carried some of their Casuists into an opinion, of the unnecessariness of devotion in these holy businesses: so as one says . . . "Though it be convenient, that the Communicant should have actual devotion; yet, it is not necessary."

   • 1913, Arnold Bennett, The Human Machine, page 73:

     A disciplined brain will at once show the unnecessariness of most ambitions, and will ensure that the remainder shall be conducted with reason.

   • 2007 June 15, Karen von Hahn, “Unnecessary Accessories of the Rich and Famous”, in Globe and Mail, retrieved 30 Aug. 2009:

     In the sad case of Paris Hilton, whose sheer unnecessariness epitomizes her career, her unnecessary accessory of choice is an SUV.

Synonyms

• gratuitousness, needlessness

Antonyms

• necessariness
• necessity