elective 1 of 2

Definition of electivenext
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

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
Some members may need to reschedule non-urgent appointments and elective surgeries. Catherine Ho, San Francisco Chronicle, 16 Mar. 2026 Additional elective teachers and administrative support increase staffing costs, meaning the program requires higher enrollment to remain financially sustainable. Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 13 Mar. 2026
Noun
The share of med schools offering geriatrics even as an elective fell from 89% to 71%. Howard Gleckman, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026 Simon said the school aims to integrate robotics in its Gateway to Tech elective in the next year. Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for elective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elective
Adjective
  • Some of these technologies are essential for ensuring the proper functioning of the service or website and cannot be disabled, while others are optional but serve to enhance the user experience in various ways.
    Walden Green, Pitchfork, 6 Apr. 2026
  • In addition to sharing contact and school information, the link for the image, and a 200-400 artist statement describing your flag, students will answer a series of short, optional questions about their process.
    USA Today, USA Today, 6 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • As a refresher for those who might not be familiar with Michter’s Celebration—this is the fifth edition (it’s listed as the 2025 release, but was released in February), and the first release in four years.
    Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Marlowe and Shakespeare were just refreshers for me and also gave me a chance to act out monologues for my cellmates, much to their delight and confusion.
    Jeremy O. Harris, Vanity Fair, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Other options include Hand Cream Intense, Lip Water and more.
    Tory Johnson, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
  • According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is testing glasses with a large oval or circular frame, a smaller oval or circular option, a large rectangular frame like the regular Ray-Ban Wayfarers, and a slimmer rectangular frame, similar to CEO Tim Cook’s current glasses.
    Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Both Vantor and Planet say that the decision to begin limiting imagery has been voluntary.
    Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 10 Apr. 2026
  • The honest answer may be that the Keynesian 15-hour workweek is coming—just not through voluntary corporate generosity.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Small improvements compound over the course of the day — picking up a mess here, choosing the healthier option there.
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2026
  • The beloved design exudes coziness and Southern charm with a touch of nostalgia from grandma, of course, because no home of hers was complete without a touch of gingham.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Earlier this month, the organization hosted a seminar with special effects makeup artist Veniesa Dillon on sculpting techniques and prosthetic application.
    Nicole Macias Garibay, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
  • In March 2016, Pharrell accepted an invite from professor Bob Power to sit in on a senior seminar at NYU’s Clive Davis Institute.
    SPIN Staff, SPIN, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Within a day in February, for example, the Legislature passed out a $90 million appropriation to counter the federal government’s block on Medicaid dollars going to Planned Parenthood clinics.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Hair banking is underway at South Florida hair clinics, where doctors remove young, healthy hair follicles for cryo-preservation before they are affected by hormones or age.
    Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • That language could have important implications for associations with weighted voting, multiple membership classes, special developer rights, or mixed-use structures involving residential and commercial interests.
    Evonne Andris, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
  • The finding comes from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which tested nitazenes, a class of synthetic opioid compounds.
    Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Elective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elective. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.

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