as in voluntary
subject to one's freedom of choice at the resort all recreational activities are optional, and you may choose to participate in none of them

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 optional Power is supplied via a wall outlet, or by an optional rechargeable power bank. Ben Coxworth july 02, New Atlas, 2 July 2025 Rounding it all out is a spacious gravel motor court with parking for up to 10 vehicles, as well as optional on-site security and staff services. Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 2 July 2025 Right now the team has optional summer practices once a week. Sofia Schwarzwalder, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2025 Media partners see revenue shares ranging from 35 to 55 percent, along with optional setup fees and GDPR-compliant privacy protections. Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for optional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for optional
Adjective
  • Such findings have almost always been resolved through voluntary resolutions between schools and the federal government.
    Jim Edwards, Fortune, 1 July 2025
  • To that end, the feds can often compel witnesses to talk and share evidence (in contrast, the NBA relies on the voluntary cooperation of people outside the league).
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • While the researchers stress that the overall risk remains low, the study offers new insight into the potential long-term impacts of elective surgical births.
    Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025
  • Care provided at your doctor’s office, for example, might still be covered by Florida Blue, but the elective surgery your doctor scheduled at Broward Health may now be considered out-of-network.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 2 July 2025
Adjective
  • Economic uncertainty and consumers crimped by inflation could continue to pressure discretionary spending, including alcohol sales.
    Michael Khouw, CNBC, 30 June 2025
  • Rising prices are making consumers more cost-conscious, further dampening the growth of discretionary spending within the industry.
    Richard Kestenbaum, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Optional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/optional. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on optional

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!