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

For comparison, in France, elective egg freezing is fully covered by the country's public health insurance. — Annie Nova, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026 Wyman’s elective career spanned 40 years, beginning with her election in 1979 to the Board of Education in Tolland. — Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 12 Aug. 2026

Noun

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 The district already offered personal finance as an elective before the statewide requirement went into effect. — P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 8 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for elective

Recent Examples of Synonyms for elective

Adjective

An optional Extended Port provides extra floor space that can serve as an office, additional guest room, or storage area for outdoor gear.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Sep. 2026
An on-site spa and an extensive complimentary wellness program include daily yoga, Pilates, meditation, strength training, sound healing, and wellness workshops, but participation is entirely optional.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of optional

Noun

Coke is also investing in developing new beverages beyond its core soda offerings, including refreshers and dirty sodas.

— Jacob Pramuk, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026
For those who need a refresher on the late princess’s upbringing, Diana Spencer was born in 1961 to John Spencer, 8th Earl Spencer, and Frances Roche.

— Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of refresher

Adjective

The Show-Me State is also one of 24 states that doesn’t have right-to-work laws, which is key to guarantee union membership and financial support are voluntary for workers.

— Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026
Given that personal insistence, the election – in which 49 veterans of the Ukraine war were elected – is more likely to be used as evidence that Russia rewards its soldiers with plum political jobs, as a means of boosting voluntary recruitment.

— Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of voluntary

Noun

But for all characters' lives altered over the course of this eventful season, no one had more of a redemptive arc than Tim Robbins' villainous IT Head, Bernard Holland.

— Jeff Spry, Space.com, 24 Sep. 2026
An individual can avoid the fine entirely for the first violation by successfully completing the safety course, once one is approved.

— Brian Bell, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of course

Noun

This year, the August days were filled with live podcasts and seminars, ranging from football analytics to responsible gaming.

— Chad Millman, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Apprisen Learn More Highlights Founded in 1955, Apprisen offers budgeting workshops, debt management plans, credit counseling, housing seminars and bankruptcy education in person and online.

— Dan Avery, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of seminar

Noun

The old ranch hand cut a surprisingly sprightly figure in his warehouselike clinic, bounding from room to room.

— Kyle Paoletta, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
Californians can get a flu vaccine through their health plan, health care provider, local public health clinic or federally qualified health center.

— Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of clinic

Noun

Researchers at the Advanced Science Research Center at the CUNY Graduate Center (CUNY ASRC) have discovered that passing waves through a special class of synthetic media forces them to abandon chaotic scattering entirely.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026
Many identified themselves as teachers, noting that pandemic-era disruptions to in-class learning severely worsened reading deficits.

— Chris Fusco, Sacbee.com, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of class

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elections

elective

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Style

“Elective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elective. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of elective

adjective

noun

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