superfluousness
State of being extra
Superfluousness is the quality of being more than what is needed or wanted—excess beyond necessity.
The word carries a slightly negative connotation, suggesting something could or should be trimmed away: The editor noted the superfluousness of the third paragraph.
It's the noun form of superfluous, though the Latin-derived superfluity is more common in formal writing.
Excessive quantity beyond need
- surplusAmount exceeding requirement
- glutExcessive surplus
- surfeitExcessive quantity, often cloying
- plethoraExcessive surplus
overkill · oversupply · saturation · profusion · redundancy · excessiveness · immoderation · intemperance
Unwarranted or unjustified quality
- dispensabilityQuality of being unneeded
- expendabilityQuality of being sacrificeable
- nonessentialityBeing not strictly needed
- optionalityValue of having choices
irrelevance · pointlessness · needlessness · unwarrantedness · unjustifiability · extraneousness · avoidability · uselessness
Reckless depletion of resources
- inefficiencySuboptimal use of resources
- dissipationGradual loss or scattering
- misuseImproper application
- squanderUse up carelessly
discard · disposal · throwaway · excess · overproduction · overconsumption · refuse · castoff
Redundant or circular statement
- pleonasmRedundant expression
- verbosityUnnecessary word excess
- prolixityTedious lengthiness in speech
- repetitionAct of redoing
duplication · reiteration · circumlocution · wordiness · surplusage · repetitiveness · long-windedness · padding
Excessive richness or abundance
- opulenceShowy, abundant prosperity
- ostentationVulgar flaunting of means
- exorbitanceExtreme unreasonableness in degree
- profligacyReckless, wasteful extravagance
wastefulness · prodigality · sumptuousness · excess · overelaboration · ornateness · gaudiness · flamboyance
overabundance
Excessive quantity beyond need
plethora · overkill · oversupply · saturation · profusion · redundancy · excessiveness · immoderation · intemperance · overplus
gratuitousness
Unwarranted or unjustified quality
- dispensabilityQuality of being unneeded
- expendabilityQuality of being sacrificeable
- nonessentialityBeing not strictly needed
optionality · irrelevance · pointlessness · needlessness · unwarrantedness · unjustifiability · extraneousness · avoidability · uselessness · purposelessness
squandering
Reckless depletion of resources
- inefficiencySuboptimal use of resources
- dissipationGradual loss or scattering
- misuseImproper application
squander · discard · disposal · throwaway · excess · overproduction · overconsumption · refuse · castoff · surplus
tautology
Redundant or circular statement
repetition · duplication · reiteration · circumlocution · wordiness · surplusage · repetitiveness · long-windedness · padding · filler
lavishness
Excessive richness or abundance
- opulenceShowy, abundant prosperity
- ostentationVulgar flaunting of means
- exorbitanceExtreme unreasonableness in degree
profligacy · wastefulness · prodigality · sumptuousness · excess · overelaboration · ornateness · gaudiness · flamboyance · overindulgence
superfluousnessnecessity
Indispensable requirement
essentiality · indispensability · essentialness · needfulness · importance
superfluousnessdeficit
Amount still owed
deficiency · insufficiency · shortage · scarcity · lack