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

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

Somewhere in South Carolina, a child too young for a second dose of the measles vaccine contracted the virus from someone whose parents had decided, for reasons unrelated to medicine, that vaccination was optional.

— A.J. Russo, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026
Gay men with a penchant for clothing-optional environments will want to check it out; others should look elsewhere.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of optional

Noun

Starbucks created the refresher back in 2012 to appeal to non-coffee drinkers who wanted a boost, especially in the afternoon, when traffic to its cafes slowed.

— Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 22 Aug. 2026
That training doesn’t stop after onboarding, either — employees have to come back for refreshers every year.

— Laurie Mermet, Sun Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of refresher

Noun

Activity in the options market also suggests investors are becoming more confident that the rally can last, the research firm highlighted.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026
Because collagen is derived from animal sources, both experts say that there are no real vegetarian collagen options.

— Audrey Noble, Vogue, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of option

Adjective

Sullivan agreed to include instructions on voluntary manslaughter but not the Bowden charge.

— Sumiko Corley, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026
Water cuts split states Under the new rules, four states – Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Wyoming – are allowed to implement voluntary water reductions instead of mandatory cuts.

— James Powel, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of voluntary

Noun

The company previously tried removing artificial colors from Trix in 2015, but reversed course two years later after consumers complained about the cereal’s more muted appearance.

— Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026
The men reversed course to flee uphill, one briefly stopping to film before realizing the scale of the danger.

— Laura Saravia, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of course

Noun

In 2012, Rich Global LLC, which sold seminars based on the lessons of the book, declared bankruptcy after a judge awarded $24 million in damages to one of the company’s former business partners.

— Christopher Cox, Vanity Fair, 26 Aug. 2026
Jim Ross will also share his fishing wisdom and give away a half-day fishing experience on the Indian River valued at $400 during each seminar.

— Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of seminar

Noun

Free and charitable clinics scramble to absorb uninsured patients even as Florida’s healthcare squeeze becomes a defining campaign issue, exposing a broader national failure to rein in medical costs.

— Ali Swenson, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Their arrival quickly caught the attention of a man who had parked nearby and was walking toward the clinic.

— Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 25 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

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

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Synonyms of elective

adjective

noun

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