alternative

adjective

al·ter·na·tive | \ȯl-ˈtər-nə-tiv,

al-\

Definition of alternative

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : offering or expressing a choice several alternative plans

2 : different from the usual or conventional: such as

a : existing or functioning outside the established cultural, social, or economic system an alternative newspaper alternative lifestyles

b : of, relating to, or being rock music that is regarded as an alternative to conventional rock and is typically influenced by punk rock, hard rock, hip-hop, or folk music an alternative band also : of, relating to, or being music of a genre other than rock that is similarly regarded as an alternative to the conventional music of that genre alternative country

c : of or relating to alternative medicine alternative therapies

3 : occurring or succeeding by turns : alternate sense 1

alternative

noun

Definition of alternative (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : a proposition or situation offering a choice between two or more things only one of which may be chosen a government facing the alternative of high taxes or poor highways

b : an opportunity for deciding between two or more courses or propositions the alternative of going by train or by plane

2a : one of two or more things, courses, or propositions to be chosen The menu offered several vegetarian alternatives.

b : something which can be chosen instead The only alternative to intervention.

3 : alternative rock music a fan of alternative

Other Words from alternative Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about alternative

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Choose the Right Synonym for alternative

Noun

choice, option, alternative, preference, selection, election mean the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen. choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely. freedom of choice option implies a power to choose that is specifically granted or guaranteed. the option of paying now or later alternative implies a need to choose one and reject another possibility. equally attractive alternatives preference suggests a choice guided by one's judgment or predilections. a preference for cool weather selection implies a range of choice. a varied selection of furniture election implies an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment. doing a tax return forces certain elections on you

Examples of alternative in a Sentence

Adjective

Scientists are developing an alternative approach to treating the disease. He developed an alternative design for the new engine.

Noun

We decided to leave since our only other alternative was to wait in the rain. I was offered no alternative. The menu offered several vegetarian alternatives.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

But Maguire, who had been already loosely linked with United over recent months as well, now appears to be a genuine alternative target. — SI.com, "Man Utd Tipped to Make 'Huge Offer' for England World Cup Hero Harry Maguire," 13 July 2018 His favorite performance: the alternative band Gorillaz last September. — Christopher Reynolds, latimes.com, "Sitting in the palm of nature: The unique energy — and performances — of Colorado's Red Rocks Amphitheatre," 12 July 2018 Two factors inspired me to imagine this alternative version of presidential history. — Neil Swidey, BostonGlobe.com, "The backstory on this alternate version of presidential history," 10 July 2018 The city is home to music festivals and sporting events, the paper noted, ideal venues for alternative forms of transportation. — Peter Holley, chicagotribune.com, "Scooter companies conquer with a simple strategy: act first, answer questions later," 22 June 2018 The list also includes elements crucial to alternative forms of energy, such as tellurium found in solar panels and lithium used in batteries in electric cars and cellphones. — Dino Grandoni, Washington Post, "The Energy 202: Trump talks a lot about coal. But his administration just named 35 'critical minerals'," 21 May 2018 Image by image, click by click, the students taught the software what each of the 22 characters in the medieval Latin alphabet (a–i, l–u, plus some alternative forms of s and d) looks like. — Sam Kean, The Atlantic, "Artificial Intelligence Is Unlocking the Vatican's Secret Archives," 30 Apr. 2018 And the average American household that uses alternative forms of credit earns just $25,500 a year — and spends nearly 10 percent of that meager salary on interest and fees, according to a 2011 KPMG study. — Eric Levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Democrats Have a Plan to Save the Post Office – and Kill Payday Lenders," 25 Apr. 2018 Esther helped them create an alternative ceremony: His parents, Elizabeth and Richard, and hers, Jill and Dan, wrapped each of them in their grandfathers’ tallitot. — Philly.com, "Philadelphia weddings: Moriah Benjoseph and Ben Nassau," 13 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Instead, exhibitors are offering these movies as a more genteel alternative to popcorn fare, something for parents to enjoy as their kids go see the latest blockbuster. — David Sims, The Atlantic, "What’s Driving Documentaries to Box-Office Success?," 11 July 2018 If people don’t like this proposal what is their alternative? — NBC News, "Brexit chaos: What happens next for British PM Theresa May?," 10 July 2018 Hitch Hotel debuted on Kickstarter last week as a cheap alternative to many of the pricey campers on the market. — Megan Barber, Curbed, "Tiny expandable camper costs just $4,500," 6 July 2018 Our alternative was to grab the vacuum cleaner and start sucking up hundreds of bugs. — Christopher Muther, BostonGlobe.com, "How to survive an Airbnb disaster, bugs and all," 5 July 2018 The towns of Cave Creek and Carefree have come up with a creative alternative: A drone show. — Cydney Henderson, azcentral, "Carefree resort hosts free Fourth of July drone show after fireworks canceled," 3 July 2018 And when that last decision is made, how will the losers of the debate be persuaded to stay in the coalition instead of holding out for a better alternative? — Julia Azari, Vox, "How “abolish ICE” illustrates the importance of party politics," 2 July 2018 Then came the Dalkon Shield, which was advertised as a safer alternative to the pill and quickly became the most popular IUD—upwards of 2 million women had one by 1974—and then, just as promptly, ruined everything. — Kayla Webley Adler, Marie Claire, "The IUD Vs. The World," 28 June 2018 This would stretch the lifespan and usefulness of existing ships, a cheaper and more cost-effective alternative to simply buying more ships. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "The US Navy Could Grow to 355 Ships by 2032," 22 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'alternative.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near alternative

alternating series

alternation

alternation of generations

Statistics for alternative

Last Updated

4 Nov 2018

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for alternative

The first known use of alternative was in 1540

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More Definitions for alternative

alternative

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of alternative

(Entry 1 of 2)

: offering or expressing a choice

: not usual or traditional

: existing or functioning outside of the established society

alternative

noun

English Language Learners Definition of alternative (Entry 2 of 2)

: something that can be chosen instead of something else : a choice or option

See the full definition for alternative in the English Language Learners Dictionary

alternative

adjective

al·ter·na·tive | \ȯl-ˈtər-nə-tiv

Kids Definition of alternative

(Entry 1 of 2)

: offering or expressing a choice alternative plans

alternative

noun

Kids Definition of alternative (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : a chance to choose between two things We had to move. There was no alternative.

2 : one of the things between which a choice is to be made As it got dark, our best alternative was to find shelter.

alternative

adjective

al·ter·na·tive | \ȯl-ˈtər-nət-iv, al-

Medical Definition of alternative

: of, relating to, or based on alternative medicine alternative therapies

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alternative

adjective

al·ter·na·tive | \ȯl-ˈtər-nə-tiv, al-

Legal Definition of alternative

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : alternate sense 1

2 : offering or expressing a choice an alternative contract — see also alternative pleading at pleading sense 1b

3 : existing or functioning outside the established system also : different from the usual or conventional alternative sentencing

alternative

noun

Legal Definition of alternative (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : a proposition or situation offering a choice between two or more things only one of which may be chosen

2a : one of two or more things, courses, or propositions to be chosen

b : something which can be chosen instead

in the alternative

1 : for or as an alternative asked for specific performance, or in the alternative, damages of $20,000 a new trial may be asked for in the alternative

2 : in such a way that offers a choice the relief sought…may include relief in the alternative — Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 8(a) plead in the alternative