alternative

1 of 2

adjective

al·​ter·​na·​tive ȯl-ˈtər-nə-tiv How to pronounce alternative (audio)
al-
1
: offering or expressing a choice
several alternative plans
2
: different from the usual or conventional: such as
a
: existing or functioning outside the established cultural, social, or economic system
an alternative newspaper
alternative lifestyles
b
: of, relating to, or being rock music that is regarded as an alternative to conventional rock and is typically influenced by punk rock, hard rock, hip-hop, or folk music
an alternative band
also : of, relating to, or being music of a genre other than rock that is similarly regarded as an alternative to the conventional music of that genre
alternative country
c
: of or relating to alternative medicine
alternative therapies
3
: occurring or succeeding by turns : alternate sense 1
alternatively adverb
alternativeness noun

alternative

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: a proposition or situation offering a choice between two or more things only one of which may be chosen
a government facing the alternative of high taxes or poor highways
b
: an opportunity for deciding between two or more courses or propositions
the alternative of going by train or by plane
2
a
: one of two or more things, courses, or propositions to be chosen
The menu offered several vegetarian alternatives.
b
: something which can be chosen instead
The only alternative to intervention.
3
: alternative rock music
a fan of alternative
Choose the Right Synonym for alternative

choice, option, alternative, preference, selection, election mean the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen.

choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely.

freedom of choice

option implies a power to choose that is specifically granted or guaranteed.

the option of paying now or later

alternative implies a need to choose one and reject another possibility.

equally attractive alternatives

preference suggests a choice guided by one's judgment or predilections.

a preference for cool weather

selection implies a range of choice.

a varied selection of furniture

election implies an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment.

doing a tax return forces certain elections on you

Examples of alternative in a Sentence

Adjective Scientists are developing an alternative approach to treating the disease. He developed an alternative design for the new engine. Noun We decided to leave since our only other alternative was to wait in the rain. I was offered no alternative. The menu offered several vegetarian alternatives.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
The government alleges that over the years, Apple has blocked banks and other finance companies from developing alternative payment products that would compete with Apple’s digital wallet on the iPhone. Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024 Advocates tout cannabis as an alternative relief for veterans with pain from wounds or post-traumatic stress disorder, but the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits its distribution because it’s still classified by the federal government as a Schedule 1 drug with no accepted medical use. Frank Vaisvilas, Journal Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2024 The mayor was in touch with the track coach and had a staff member chase down a lead on an alternative space for handball. E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2024 Staff will also look into whether a 90 percent view will work for the alternative materials or if the code should be further amended. Lauren J. Mapp, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2024 This will open up opportunities for alternative models of selling real estate that already exist but don’t have much market share, including flat-fee and discount brokerages. Bryan Mena, CNN, 17 Mar. 2024 And unlike simply attacking an opponent’s record or making a campaign promise, such alternative realities enjoy the benefit of being untestable. Angelo Fichera, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2024 Recommended State of the Union: Biden in full campaign mode The incident appeared to confirm what Palestinians in Gaza already knew or believed: Any Israeli involvement would delegitimize and kill any alternative group providing services in Gaza. Taylor Luck, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Mar. 2024 Soundgarden’s major label debut for A&M Records came at an awkward time when their sound was a little too dark for mainstream hard rock, but future Seattle compatriots Pearl Jam, Nirvana and Alice in Chains hadn’t yet primed alternative radio for something heavier. Al Shipley, SPIN, 9 Mar. 2024
Noun
Ham became a traditional Easter dish in many parts of the United States as a less expensive alternative to lamb, which was eaten in many other countries to mirror the Jewish Passover meal. Elaine Rewolinski, Journal Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2024 So, instead of using baby walkers, caregivers can try baby walker alternatives. Anna Halkidis, Parents, 22 Mar. 2024 There’s even a hooded, zip-up knit sweater, as a casual alternative to the traditional wrap or cape. Laura Neilson, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2024 Analysts said Western companies were probably struggling to find alternatives to VSMPO. Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024 And then, of course, there are the migrants: When Elisa and I arrived in Aguadilla, the airport guard told us how his father, a hunter, had stumbled upon a Dominican family in Cueva Negra, seeking shelter from the midday sun, trying to imagine an alternative to turning themselves in. Carina Del Valle Schorske, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024 For a maintenance-free alternative, fill an oversized vase with branches or faux greenery. Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Mar. 2024 But as opposite opinions make clear: faux fur—with its synthetic fibers and microplastics—is also a questionable alternative. Shelcy Joseph, Essence, 19 Mar. 2024 There are other alternatives—see our Best Instant Cameras guide—but Fujifilm's Instax cameras and printers have provided the best image quality and most reliable results in our tests. Scott Gilbertson, WIRED, 19 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'alternative.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French alternatif "occurring by turns, alternating," borrowed from Medieval Latin alternātīvus, from Latin alternātus, past participle of alternāre "to ebb and flow, act in alternation, arrange in alternating order" + -īvus -ive — more at alternate entry 1

Noun

borrowed from French & Medieval Latin; French alternative, going back to Middle French, borrowed from Medieval Latin alternātīva, noun derivative from feminine of alternātīvus "occurring by turns" — more at alternative entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1540, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Noun

1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of alternative was in 1540

Dictionary Entries Near alternative

Cite this Entry

“Alternative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alternative. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

alternative

1 of 2 adjective
al·​ter·​na·​tive ȯl-ˈtər-nət-iv How to pronounce alternative (audio)
 also  al-
1
: offering or expressing a choice
alternative plans
2
: being one of the things between which a choice is to be made : alternate
an alternative route
alternatively adverb
alternativeness noun

alternative

2 of 2 noun
1
: a chance to choose between two or more things only one of which may be chosen
the alternative of going by bus or car
2
: one of the things between which a choice is to be made

Medical Definition

alternative

adjective
al·​ter·​na·​tive ȯl-ˈtər-nət-iv, al- How to pronounce alternative (audio)
: of, relating to, or based on alternative medicine
alternative therapies

Legal Definition

alternative

1 of 2 adjective
al·​ter·​na·​tive ȯl-ˈtər-nə-tiv, al- How to pronounce alternative (audio)
1
2
: offering or expressing a choice
an alternative contract
see also alternative pleading at pleading sense 1b
3
: existing or functioning outside the established system
also : different from the usual or conventional
alternative sentencing

alternative

2 of 2 noun
1
: a proposition or situation offering a choice between two or more things only one of which may be chosen
2
a
: one of two or more things, courses, or propositions to be chosen
b
: something which can be chosen instead

More from Merriam-Webster on alternative

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