unessential
Easily done without
Unessential means not necessary or not of fundamental importance.
It functions as both adjective and noun: something unessential can be left out without significant loss or consequence.
We cut all unessential expenses from the budget.
The word is interchangeable with nonessential, though the latter appears more frequently in modern usage.
Lesser in rank
- ancillaryProviding additional support
- marginalBarely adequate
- incidentalMinor and unplanned
- minorScale with lowered third
trivial · tangential · auxiliary · subordinate · subsidiary · collateral · accessory · adjunct
Chosen, not mandated
- voluntaryDone by choice
- discretionarySubject to personal judgment
- noncompulsoryNot required by rule
- nonmandatoryNot compulsory
permissive · unrequired · nonobligatory · choosable · facultative · take-it-or-leave-it
Exceeding what's needed
- surplusAmount exceeding requirement
- excessiveSurpassing reasonable bounds
- gratuitousGiven without necessity
- overabundantExisting in excess
pleonastic · tautological · de trop · spare · overflow · unwarranted · extraneous · extravagant
Able to be sacrificed
- replaceableAble to be exchanged
- removableCapable of being detached
- discardableAble to be thrown out
- disposableMade for one use
supererogatory · unneeded · skippable · omittable · forgone · sacrificeable · deletable · cuttable
Not pertinent
- inconsequentialLacking significance or impact
- insignificantLacking importance or consequence
- unimportantLacking significance or weight
- negligibleToo small to consider
trifling · frivolous · insubstantial · meaningless · beside the point · neither here nor there
secondary
Lesser in rank
- ancillaryProviding additional support
- marginalBarely adequate
- incidentalMinor and unplanned
minor · trivial · tangential · auxiliary · subordinate · subsidiary · collateral · accessory · adjunct · supplemental
elective
Chosen, not mandated
- voluntaryDone by choice
- discretionarySubject to personal judgment
- noncompulsoryNot required by rule
nonmandatory · permissive · unrequired · nonobligatory · choosable · facultative · take-it-or-leave-it
redundant
Exceeding what's needed
- surplusAmount exceeding requirement
- excessiveSurpassing reasonable bounds
- gratuitousGiven without necessity
overabundant · pleonastic · tautological · de trop · spare · overflow · unwarranted · extraneous · extravagant · supernumerary
expendable
Able to be sacrificed
- replaceableAble to be exchanged
- removableCapable of being detached
- discardableAble to be thrown out
disposable · supererogatory · unneeded · skippable · omittable · forgone · sacrificeable · deletable · cuttable · droppable
irrelevant
Not pertinent
- inconsequentialLacking significance or impact
- insignificantLacking importance or consequence
- unimportantLacking significance or weight
negligible · trifling · frivolous · insubstantial · meaningless · beside the point · neither here nor there