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

Knowing whether a patient is frail or not can change a clinician’s sense of whether to act swiftly on what seems like a small problem or to reexamine whether an elective surgery is a good idea, for instance. — Veronique Greenwood, Time, 17 Aug. 2026 For comparison, in France, elective egg freezing is fully covered by the country's public health insurance. — Annie Nova, CNBC, 15 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

Amenities and experiences The Tasting Room at Seminary Hill offers a tour of their orchards and cidery operation with an optional cider tasting.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026
An optional slim keyboard drawer adds functionality without disrupting the minimalist look.

— Vy Yang, Architectural Digest, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of optional

Noun

We were also impressed by the versatile food options—particularly the Cantonese cuisine and excellent afternoon tea.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Oct. 2026
This would provide some interesting tactical options for the Navy, especially for conflicts with rivals, like China.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of option

Noun

Sagittarius November 22 – December 21 A friendship or group conversation may need a little course correction today.

— Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 9 Oct. 2026
And even over the course of making the film, a lot of things have come up that have felt particularly relevant to what was going on.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of course

Noun

In lectures and seminars, his cleft palate caused his voice to be muted and his pronunciation at times unclear.

— Peter E. Gordon, The New York Review of Books, 3 Oct. 2026
Some 20 years ago, Mary-Claire King was asked to hold a seminar at the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm.

— Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of seminar

Noun

Afsaneh Salari’s Tehran, Under the Skin enters Tehran’s cosmetic clinics to explore the pressures behind Iran’s widespread culture of cosmetic surgery in pursuit of physical perfection, in a conservative society that seeks to control women’s beauty.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
Eligible hospitals could use the money for improvements to medical facilities, including intensive care and trauma care facilities, operating rooms, laboratories, clinics and imaging facilities.

— Haley Parsley October 12, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of clinic

Noun

As part of orchestrating this project, Simon was also involved in securing visas for the various international performers, encountering in the process the uneven access to travel for cultural workers across classes, nationalities, and milieus.

— Stephanie Wambugu, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026
The production took its time finding homes that felt lived in and signaled the class of the families inside them.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of class

Browse Nearby Words

elections

elective

electively

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Style

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

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Synonyms of elective

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

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