NEEDLESSLY

Pronunciation (US):

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does needlessly mean? 

• NEEDLESSLY (adverb)
  The adverb NEEDLESSLY has 1 sense:

1. without need

  Familiarity information: NEEDLESSLY used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• NEEDLESSLY (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Without need

Context example:

it would needlessly bring badness into the world

Pertainym:

needless (unnecessary and unwarranted)

 Context examples 

Excuse me, said Jane earnestly, I cannot by any means consent to such an arrangement, so needlessly troublesome to your servant.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

She knew, also, that poor Mr. Rushworth could seldom get anybody to rehearse with him: his complaint came before her as well as the rest; and so decided to her eye was her cousin Maria's avoidance of him, and so needlessly often the rehearsal of the first scene between her and Mr. Crawford, that she had soon all the terror of other complaints from him.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

Against staying longer, however, Elizabeth was positively resolved—nor did she much expect it would be asked; and fearful, on the contrary, as being considered as intruding themselves needlessly long, she urged Jane to borrow Mr. Bingley's carriage immediately, and at length it was settled that their original design of leaving Netherfield that morning should be mentioned, and the request made.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

"Madame expects you in the salon!" he cried, needlessly indicating the direction. In this heat every extra gesture was an affront to the common store of life.

(The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald)