Synonym Chooser

How does the noun selection contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of selection are alternative, choice, election, option, and preference. While all these words mean "the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen," selection implies a range of choice.

a varied selection of furniture

When is it sensible to use alternative instead of selection?

While the synonyms alternative and selection are close in meaning, alternative implies a need to choose one and reject another possibility.

equally attractive alternatives

When is choice a more appropriate choice than selection?

The synonyms choice and selection are sometimes interchangeable, but choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely.

freedom of choice

When would election be a good substitute for selection?

The words election and selection can be used in similar contexts, but election implies an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment.

doing a tax return forces certain elections on you

In what contexts can option take the place of selection?

The words option and selection are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, option implies a power to choose that is specifically granted or guaranteed.

the option of paying now or later

When can preference be used instead of selection?

In some situations, the words preference and selection are roughly equivalent. However, preference suggests a choice guided by one's judgment or predilections.

a preference for cool weather

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 selection Bowman would be wise to send that selection away, in a package, for immediate help. Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 22 June 2025 The Asian Cinema Fund (ACF), the flagship funding arm of the Busan International Film Festival, has unveiled its 14 official selections for 2025 following a record-breaking submission period that saw applications surge 23% to 850 projects. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 June 2025 Lucas was a Miami Herald first-team All-County football selection as a senior at American Heritage and was also a standout sprinter and long jumper on the Patriots’ track and field team. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 21 June 2025 One or two more good selections in that group could have helped the Avs, either in games or via trade, in the past few years. Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 21 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for selection
Recent Examples of Synonyms for selection
Noun
  • His sons’ career choices mirrored their father’s: Louis, the oldest, named after his dad, went into the Navy.
    Belinda Luscombe, Time, 1 July 2025
  • Fox’s lips were painted in a gray-nude glossy shade, a neutral choice to complement her pale, even-toned base.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • The Kings League’s rapid growth and expansion plans represent a significant bet that sports entertainment can successfully bridge traditional athletics and digital-first content.
    Massimo Marioni, Fortune, 27 June 2025
  • Click on the offer link here to set up your account and secure a chance to win $150 in bonus bets or a $1,500 first bet safety net depending on your location.
    Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • Injuries have mounted, the options available to Chivu were limited.
    James Horncastle, New York Times, 21 June 2025
  • There’s also the option of buying several MLPs at once with a fund.
    Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
Noun
  • Here’s a sampling of the cheapest places to pump in Miami as of Wednesday, June 18, according to a survey from fuel-monitoring company GasBuddy: MORE: Gas prices have plunged 14 cents a gallon in Miami.
    Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 18 June 2025
  • In a separate letter, sent Thursday, state Sen. Ben Allen (D-Santa Barbara) and three other state legislators urged California environmental regulators to step in and conduct soil sampling if federal disaster agencies continue to resist soil testing protocols.
    Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025
Noun
  • After Republicans capitalized on using social media to win the 2024 elections, the party has run into some tiffs since November that political insiders don’t see stopping anytime soon.
    Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 22 June 2025
  • Lukashenko has since extended his rule for a seventh term following a January 2025 election that the opposition called a farce.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 22 June 2025
Noun
  • Its assignment is to handle both a Mars Sample Return mission to return core samples of Mars to Earth, as well as future human Mars missions.
    Leonard David, Space.com, 29 June 2025
  • After it is analyzed for isotopes, the blood sample will give her an even more recent snapshot of what the bird has been eating.
    Madeline Bodin, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Selection.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/selection. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on selection

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