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

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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

Knowing whether a patient is frail or not can change a clinician’s sense of whether to act swiftly on what seems like a small problem or to reexamine whether an elective surgery is a good idea, for instance. — Veronique Greenwood, Time, 17 Aug. 2026 For comparison, in France, elective egg freezing is fully covered by the country's public health insurance. — Annie Nova, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026

Noun

From those earliest days, the monks confronted the end-of-the-year syndrome pragmatically, replacing regular classroom instruction with out-of-classroom electives. — Anthony Depalma, Mercury News, 22 May 2026 In that reunion outside the hospital, Robby shows interest in whether or not Mohan had any luck picking an elective. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for elective

Recent Examples of Synonyms for elective

Adjective

Leaders who work around their own systems, who skip time sheets or approve scopes without reading them, are training their entire team that the systems are optional.

— Drew McLellan, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Voting in Brazil is compulsory for most citizens ages 18 to 70 and optional for 16- and 17-year-olds, people over age 70, and people who cannot read or write.

— Katie Angell Britannica Editors Oct. 2, Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of optional

Noun

Clayton also noted in the interview the task force would discuss potential legislative options that could be part of an AI framework moving forward.

— Carter Schroppe, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026
Other options include pregnancy termination and neonatal treatment intended to prolong life.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of option

Adjective

The bill’s guardrails are voluntary, the chief critique of Senate Democrats, but are aimed at blocking those energy spikes.

— David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 30 Sep. 2026
During that time, its activities will be funded by voluntary contributions from Adidas, H&M Group, Inditex and Bestseller, but the hope is that other brands join too, and the blueprint is eventually embedded in EPR policies across the EU.

— Bella Webb, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of voluntary

Noun

Potentially lifesaving and cost-saving decisions to shorten courses, redistribute staff, streamline, or expand resources could come from quantified inputs, in conjunction with prior experience.

— Vibhu Krishna, STAT, 2 Oct. 2026
Trump did note that Netanyahu has shown resilience over the course of his political career.

— SEUNG MIN KIM, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of course

Noun

The organization hosts conferences, seminars and a mentoring program to help educators promote into leadership roles.

— Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Anti-Defimation League (ADL) research has found a pattern of students being asked to speak on behalf of Israel or the Jewish community, effectively positioning them as representatives of a government rather than students in a seminar.

— Jonathan Greenblatt, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of seminar

Noun

Co-founded in Beverly Hills by Michelle Tang and Ron Sonnenberg, IMA ART is neither an IVF clinic nor a traditional surrogacy agency.

— Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 29 Sep. 2026
The biohacking and antiaging clinic has built a reputation for its advanced technologies, cutting-edge protocols and signature rejuvenation treatments that combine detox, meditation and cryotherapy.

— Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of clinic

Noun

Livia’s unease informs her skepticism of politics; in linking the two, Kingsolver conflates class and culture, using the former as an excuse for what really just seems to be Livia’s constitutional conservatism.

— Sam Worley, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
Collectibles are also becoming more accepted as an alternative investing asset class.

— Joe D'Allegro, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of class

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elections

elective

electively

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Style

“Elective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elective. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of elective

adjective

noun

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