ELECTIVE Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

elective 1 of 2

adjective

i-ˈlek-tiv

Definition of elective

as in optional

subject to one's freedom of choice a plastic surgeon who mainly does face-lifting and other kinds of elective surgery

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

elective

2 of 2

noun

as in refresher

Related Words

as in option

Related Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of elective

Adjective

One 2024 survey of large-company employee benefit plans found that about 21% covered elective egg freezing. — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026 Interested students could pursue an optional curriculum track or elective concentration in osteopathic principles, available at any accredited school rather than confined to a parallel one. — Abigail MacKenzie, STAT, 5 Aug. 2026

Noun

The district already offered personal finance as an elective before the statewide requirement went into effect. — P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 8 Apr. 2026 Twin Peaks and Meadowbrook are the only two schools that implemented bell schedules that allow students to take more than one elective per year. — Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for elective

Recent Examples of Synonyms for elective

Adjective

The upcoming 2027 model will also be the first to feature E-Shift, an optional system that simulates the gear shifts of a combustion engine.

— Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 18 Aug. 2026
Buyers can increase battery capacity up to 600 Ah and add on a variety of optional accessories, including a 200-W solar charging system, 2,000-W inverter and two 120-V electrical panels, and a Victron DC-DC charger connected to the tow vehicle.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of optional

Noun

That training doesn’t stop after onboarding, either — employees have to come back for refreshers every year.

— Laurie Mermet, Sun Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2026
As this summer's refresher and soda drink wars heat up, McDonald's is upping the ante and teaming up with Red Bull to add new energy drinks to its menu.

— Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of refresher

Noun

The hotel also has a helicopter pad, so those interested in exploring the other islands by air rather than by boat have that option, too.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026
Iraola has only Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo, Rio Ngumoha, and Victor Munoz as realistic forward options, with Lewis Koumas and Federico Chiesa offering the next layer of support.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of option

Adjective

State Medicaid programs have a parallel, voluntary pathway to adopt similar pricing under a model known as BALANCE.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026
EmpCo prohibits companies from displaying voluntary sustainability labels unless they were established by a public authority or are based on a qualifying certification scheme.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of voluntary

Noun

Stray Ukrainian drones, meanwhile, have been reported to have crashed or been intercepted in Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Bulgaria, with allied officials suggesting that Russian electronic warfare sent the craft off course.

— David Brennan, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026
Disney, which had previously greenlit a second season of Wonder Man, had reversed course and canceled the show.

— Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of course

Noun

Competition is likely to be tough for classes that are perceived as easier, or for small-group seminars where a larger number of students would fall within the cap.

— Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 19 Aug. 2026
Meanwhile, those hawking self-help books and products and seminars keep making money.

— Evelyn Skye, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of seminar

Noun

The medical advances that improve patient outcomes in the future are being built step by step in laboratories and clinics right now.

— Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026
In the letter, Bass said the city and local partners had provided mobile health clinics, air purifiers, emergency housing assistance, grocery cards, diapers, formula and other resources.

— Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of clinic

Noun

Authorities have introduced new rules in recent years, including a cap on the maximum number of climbers per day and requiring them to take a brief class about hiking safety.

— Chris Lau, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
Beyond the dreamy spa treatments, there’s much planned for wellness at Luura, from on-site classes and contrast therapy in the sauna and cold plunge to off-site adventures like hiking and trail running.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of class

Browse Nearby Words

elections

elective

electively

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Elective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elective. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of elective

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on elective

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

prowess

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes