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
1
as in refresher
Related Words
2
as in option
Related Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of elective
Linh Tat, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
Put simply, Schwarzman believes that now more than ever, that engagement’s the name of the game, and China isn’t an elective course but should be part of the core curriculum.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 2 May 2026
Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 22 Feb. 2026
Three years ago, the district had to eliminate one elective and currently only offers art and music.
—Alexandra Hardle, AZCentral.com, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elective
Adjective
Congress and elective office should not be a means to enriching oneself.
—Linh Tat, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
Put simply, Schwarzman believes that now more than ever, that engagement’s the name of the game, and China isn’t an elective course but should be part of the core curriculum.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 2 May 2026
Noun
Sofia Gomez, an aspiring educator and UT freshman, took a women’s and gender studies class as an elective her first semester.
—Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 22 Feb. 2026
Three years ago, the district had to eliminate one elective and currently only offers art and music.
—Alexandra Hardle, AZCentral.com, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elective
Adjective
-
The other one — pushed by municipal leaders opposed to significant portions of Pritzker’s bill — would make participation by local governments in pro-density policies optional.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
-
The yacht can sleep up to 12 guests across the five staterooms, but optional Pullmans create more accommodation if required.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
First, a quick refresher on binomial names.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
8 May 2026
-
McDonald's reveals new refreshers, crafted sodas on menu Meanwhile, McDonald's has added a new lineup of six specialty drinks, including caffeinated refreshers and dirty sodas, to its menu.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
Noun
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Later in the day, meditation sessions are also free for guests, one of the many options from the activity calendar that includes garden cricket, croquet, volleyball, basketball and bocce ball activities as well as core exercise and stretching classes.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 May 2026
-
Daniel de Visé Americans who traveled on the MV Hondius cruise ship will have the option to return home, rather than to a national quarantine center, if safety protocols permit, a top health official told CNN on Sunday.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
11 May 2026
Adjective
-
The Olathe district approved a voluntary resolution agreement at its Board of Education meeting Thursday, and the superintendent signed it Friday.—
Kendrick Calfee
May 9,
Kansas City Star,
9 May 2026
-
Angela Onduto, 47, pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter in the 2009 drowning death of her own daughter, posthumously named Matea Esperanza by the police agency that investigated her.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
9 May 2026
Noun
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Fudd scored just three points in that season-opening win over the Indiana Fever after scoring 1,687 over the course of her UConn career.—
Brian Hamilton,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
-
Over 140 films from 35 countries will be screened over the course of the festival.—
Payton Turkeltaub,
Variety,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
The room was narrow and had only one window, and the seminar table was actually four small tables of different heights, which, shoved together, rocked back and forth like shifting tectonic plates.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 May 2026
-
Founded in 1998 by Keith Raniere, Nxivm was known for its Executive Success Programs (or ESP), an executive coaching seminar that was taken by as many as 16,000 people over two decades.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
The sport science clinic in Varese has, for 30 years, prepared and rehabilitated some of Italy’s best athletes.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
-
Public health experts warn that air pollution here could pose serious health risks for residents, as cases of acute respiratory tract infections rise at the only public health clinic in the district.—
NPR,
NPR,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
The window next to my desk overlooks the gym’s large communal exercise room, and throughout the day, I am taunted by the sight of gyrating bodies panting through a Zumba class or a kettlebell set.—
Rachel Syme,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
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One in eight freshmen at UC San Diego requires special remedial math classes just to catch up.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Elective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elective. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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