The U.S. announced it will temporarily close its northern border with Canada to “non-essential traffic.”
Source: tatoeba (8621843)
Non-essential
Synonyms for "non-essential" (147 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (30)
Adjective(6 words)
accessoryaccidentaccidentaladdendumadditionadditionaladjunctadriftadscititiousadventitiousaleatoryappendageappurtenanceappurtenantascititiousauxiliaryback burnerback-burnerbeside the markbeside the point
Show 2 more words
beside the questioncasual
Noun(2 words)
ancillary objectivebottom tier
Strong matches (44)
Adjective(13 words)
classcosmetic accessorycosmetic upgradedispensableelectiveexpendableextrasextrinsic tongue musclesfrillgroupignorableimmaterial entityinessentiality
Noun(1 words)
Related words (73)
inferiorinsignificantirrelativeirrelevantlittlemere chanceminorminuteneedlessnegligiblenihil ad remnot at issuenot vitalnot-selfoccasionaloff the subjectotherout-of-the-wayparentheticparenthetical
Show 30 more words
Adjective(20 words)
irrelevant subjectluxurynoncrucialnonrestrictivenonvitalomissibleoptionaloptional itemoptional serviceoptional task policyornamental trimotioseparentheticperipheralsubcategoryunimportant claimunnecessarinessunnecessaryunneedednessvoluntary
Noun(3 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: incidental, accessory, accident, accidental, accidental.
- Sentence evidence is available for non-essential, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, moby, derived_reverse, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "non-essential".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "non-essential"
Keep "non-essential" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "non-essential" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "non-essential", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "non-essential" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Sample sentences
8 total sentences available.
New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo is ordering non-essential businesses to move workers completely to telework by late Sunday.
Source: tatoeba (8623708)
Cuomo also announced that non-essential gatherings of any size and for any reason are no longer allowed.
Source: tatoeba (8623715)
The state’s governor has ordered all non-essential workers to stay home and has told residents to only go out for groceries or the occasional exercise. That leaves people with a lot of free time.
Source: tatoeba (8626864)
Showing 4 of 8 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "non-essential"?
Closest matches include incidental, accessory, accident, accidental, accidental.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "non-essential"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.