When faced with a question that may seem too obvious or unnecessary to answer, it can be tempting to ask if a response is truly needed. However, there are alternative phrases that can convey a similar sentiment without dismissing the question entirely. Some synonyms for "do we really need to answer that" include "is that a necessary question," "is that relevant to our discussion," or "does that pertain to our current topic." Using these types of phrases can allow for the conversation to continue without completely disregarding the inquiry, while also steering it back to the main focus.