alternative

adjective al·ter·na·tive \ ȯl-ˈtər-nə-tiv , al- \

|Updated on: 18 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: alternative in a Sentence

Definition of alternative

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 1

—

alternatively

adverb

—

alternativeness

noun

See alternative defined for English-language learners

See alternative defined for kids

Examples of alternative in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of alternative from the Web

The piece was commissioned by LAXART for the alternative art space’s relaunch, which has been two years in the works under director Hamza Walker.

— gwynedd stuart, Los Angeles Magazine, "Watch Barbara Kruger’s New Mural Go Up in Hollywood," 13 June 2018
That’s an alternative regulatory pathway that relies on effectiveness data generated in animal studies coupled with human safety data.

— helen branswell, STAT, "With short outbreaks and complex permissions, testing critical Ebola treatments is a challenge," 11 June 2018
Religion online encourages religious experimentation in ways that may lead to alternative, highly personalized narratives of faith.

— sarah scoles, Longreads, "Meet the New Mormons," 8 June 2018
Thankfully, researchers have been looking into alternative forms of treating acne sans antibiotics, and a new study is purporting that a drug called Spironolactone might be a viable, longterm solution.

— helena yeung, Teen Vogue, "Spironolactone Might Be an Alternative to Taking Antibiotics for Acne," 8 June 2018
The transition to Vollgeld would be expensive and unpredictable as banks reorganised themselves and sought alternative, dearer, sources of funding.

— The Economist, "A referendum on the way money is created," 7 June 2018
For Murphy, an interest in vogue makes sense in the span of his career-long effort to build an alternative canon of Americana.

— spencer kornhaber, The Atlantic, "Pose and the Uncapturable Brilliance of the Ballroom," 7 June 2018
Now, is this sort of like the alternative fact approach to what happened?

— SI.com, "J.R. Smith vs. George Hill: Who Deserves More Blame for the Cavs' Collapse?," 1 June 2018
Patients given alternative drugs did just as well as those taking opioids in terms of how much pain interfered with their everyday life.

— claudia wallis, Scientific American, "Why We Won’t Miss Opioids," 1 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.

Origin and Etymology of alternative

see ¹alternate

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1540

in the meaning defined at sense 3

See Words from the same year

alternative

noun

Definition of alternative

1 a : 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

2 a : 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

See alternative defined for English-language learners

Examples of alternative in a Sentence

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 of alternative from the Web

These are four alternatives that could be part of the solution.

— zoie matthew, Los Angeles Magazine, "Here’s What’s Being Done to End L.A.’s Homelessness Crisis," 14 June 2018
But the accelerated pace of cord-cutting and the rise of streaming as an alternative to cable TV — Comcast's traditional business — convinced Roberts that his company needed to become an even bigger player.

— meg james, latimes.com, "Comcast bids $65 billion for Fox assets, challenging Disney's offer," 14 June 2018
Are there cheaper alternatives to your investment choices for me that would give me similar risk-reward trade-offs?

— michael a. pollock, WSJ, "Questions to Ask When Picking a Financial Adviser: Readers Weigh In," 10 June 2018
Nuts, seeds and legumes (beans, peas, lentils and soybeans) are great alternatives to meat and poultry.

— maria conley, Detroit Free Press, "Inflammation and your diet: What’s the connection?," 4 June 2018
For those who don’t like fish, there are two alternatives: carne asada or beef tacos.

— courtney dabney, star-telegram, "Pescatarian paradise: It's all about the seafood at this Veracruz-inspired restaurant | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 22 May 2018
That’s because there are numerous, inexpensive alternatives to CFCs that work just as well.

— rafi letzter, Scientific American, "Earth’s Ozone Layer is Under Attack—Again," 22 May 2018
Clay begs Tyler not to go through with his plan, noting that there are other alternatives.

— de elizabeth, Teen Vogue, ""13 Reasons Why" Season 2's School Shooting Plot Presents a Dangerous "What If?"," 21 May 2018
There are alternatives—including the antibiotics erythromycin and clindamycin—which can be safely used during pregnancy, according to Dr. Ross.

— jenn sinrich, SELF, "17 Skin-Care and Beauty Products Women Loved When They Were Pregnant," 14 May 2018

Origin and Etymology of alternative

see ¹alternate

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1576

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

alternative Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of alternative

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

ALTERNATIVE Defined for English Language Learners

alternative

adjective

Definition of alternative for English Language Learners

: offering or expressing a choice
: not usual or traditional
: existing or functioning outside of the established society

alternative

noun

Definition of alternative for English Language Learners

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

ALTERNATIVE Defined for Kids

alternative

adjective al·ter·na·tive \ ȯl-ˈtər-nə-tiv \

Definition of alternative for Students

: offering or expressing a choice

alternative plans

—

alternatively

adverb

I'll drive or, alternatively, we could walk.

alternative

noun

Definition of alternative for Students

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.

Medical Dictionary

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

Law Dictionary

alternative

adjective al·ter·na·tive \ ȯl-ˈtər-nə-tiv, al- \

legal Definition of alternative

1 : alternate 1

2 : offering or expressing a choice

an alternative contract

— see also alternative pleading at pleading 1b

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

alternative sentencing

alternative

noun

legal Definition of alternative

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

2 a : 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

Learn More about alternative

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alternatively

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alternative

Definition of alternative

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Origin and Etymology of alternative

alternative Synonyms

Synonyms

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Synonym Discussion of alternative

ALTERNATIVE Defined for English Language Learners

alternative

Definition of alternative for English Language Learners

alternative

Definition of alternative for English Language Learners

ALTERNATIVE Defined for Kids

alternative

Definition of alternative for Students

alternatively

alternative

Definition of alternative for Students

Medical Dictionary

alternative

medical Definition of alternative

Law Dictionary

alternative

legal Definition of alternative

alternative

legal Definition of alternative

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