needlessly

Adverb

needlessly (comparative more needlessly, superlative most needlessly)

1. In a needless manner.
2. To a degree or extent beyond what is needed.
   • He was always needlessly anxious about his dog.
   • At present that convenience is still needlessly expensive in Great Britain, and a scandalously stupid business conflict between telephone company and post-office delays, complicates, and makes costly and exasperating all trunk communications; but even under these disadvantages the thing is becoming...1902, Herbert George Wells, Anticipations
3. Without need.
   • He worried needlessly about his dog.