Nonessential and Necessary

Opposite meaning words

Nonessential adjective - Not needed by the circumstances or to accomplish an end.

Usage example: money's tight, so we'll have to skip nonessential purchases

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Necessary is an antonym for nonessential in not needed or important topic.

Necessary adjective - Forcing one's compliance or participation by or as if by law.

Usage example: an emissions test is necessary before you can renew the registration for your car

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Nonessential is an antonym for necessary in topics: needed, essential.

Nearby Words: necessity, necessarily

Cite this Source

Necessary and Nonessential. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 22, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/nonessential/necessary

Nonessential & Necessary. N.p., 2016. Web. 22 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/nonessential/necessary>.

Necessary or Nonessential. 2016. Accessed July 22, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/nonessential/necessary.

Google Ngram Viewer shows how "nonessential" and "necessary" have occurred on timeline