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

Trump carried Michigan in 2024, albeit narrowly, and El-Sayed is a progressive who has never held elective office. — Susan Page, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026 Mayor Sam Cunningham, who has more than 23 years in elective office as a member of the City Council or mayor, said the size and response of the crowd was unprecedented for the installation of a police chief. — Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 19 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

What has changed is my awareness of how often access is treated as optional or an afterthought.

— Maribeth Romslo, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2026
As jackets and ties have gone from essential to optional, the shirt has increasingly become the most visible piece of the modern man’s wardrobe.

— Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 31 Oct. 2026

Definition of optional

Noun

The Royals could also decline All-Star closer Carlos Estévez’s club option.

— Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2026
Ukraine believes security guarantees backed by Western allies are essential to any future settlement, ideally in the form of NATO membership — an option Vladimir Putin has rejected.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of option

Adjective

Those voluntary licenses cover a specific set of countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and Latin America.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026
Even a mandate as simple as removing racist or demeaning school mascots has depended more on districts’ voluntary compliance than force.

— David Bloomfield, New York Daily News, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of voluntary

Noun

Coast is more formal, a fine-dining venue (no jeans, shorts, flip-flops, or sneakers allowed; jackets are preferred, though not required for men), serving three-, four-, and seven-course tasting menus, open for dinner only.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2026
The course of Alzheimer’s disease is slightly slower than that of Lewy body dementia, according to Vossel.

— Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of course

Noun

The Proof Again, Huang began sending out e-mails—more than 40 in 2023—and gave a circuit of seminar talks.

— Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2026
Moghadam, speaking at a seminar in Islamabad, said that Iranian officials had conveyed their willingness to reopen the strait during visits to Tehran by Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Muni r, provided Washington ended its blockade.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of seminar

Noun

This initiative would require certain private nonprofit healthcare clinics to spend at least 90% of their annual total revenue on patient services.

— Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
After tracing the same woodland route that Kino used to enjoy with her father, Kai books an appointment and heads to the remote clinic—housed right within the girls’ old family home.

— James Marsh, Variety, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of clinic

Noun

Before the five-in-five rule was passed in late June after the NBA Draft, granting five years of eligibility beginning with the 2023 high school class, UConn was seriously considering adding one player who was 23 years old, married with a child.

— Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 1 Nov. 2026
What’s masked as a culture war in Florida is actually a class war the billionaires designed to tune us out, but young people are ready to even the scales on Election Day.

— Cameron Driggers, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Nov. 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 4 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of elective

adjective

noun

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