alternative

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

|Updated on: 13 Aug 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

Chinese soybean imports next year will fall by 8% as a result, as domestic pig farmers and other users seek out alternative sources of oilseed.

— benjamin parkin, WSJ, "Soybean Prices Near Decade-Low as China Tariffs Hammer Supply Forecast," 12 July 2018
The plan calls for property owners to step up commitments to traffic management programs, adding more detailed traffic and parking metrics and encouraging alternative transportation with actions such as adding bike racks in front of buildings.

— kate magill, Howard County Times, "Howard County wants plans for limiting Columbia traffic as development continues," 12 July 2018
The three-story building will house multiple programs, including early childhood and Pathways to Prosperity programs as well as students from the Blackhawk campus on Randall Road, which houses alternative education.

— linda girardi, Aurora Beacon-News, "West Aurora OKs nearly $3.9 million bid for construction of career development center," 11 July 2018
Historians of science like Ann Shteir, Barbara Gates and Sally Kohlstedt have shown that botanical illustration during this period offered women an alternative pathway into science.

— leila mcneill, Smithsonian, "The Botanical Artist Who Translates Plant Science Into Beautiful Art," 10 July 2018
From talk radio to Fox News to Breitbart, alternative public spheres coalesced as echo chambers, where climate science could be regularly parried and parodied and conservative precepts about government overreach perpetually reinforced.

— christopher sellers, Vox, "How Republicans came to embrace anti-environmentalism," 6 July 2018
The three-piece band, consisting of 13 Reasons Why star Dylan Minnette, Braeden Lemasters and Cole Preston, debuts with a 15 percent boost in spins on alternative radio in the week ending July 8, according to Nielsen Music.

— kevin rutherford, Billboard, "Wallows Makes Alternative Songs Chart Debut With 'Pictures of Girls'," 11 July 2018
The company already offers alternative straws in Seattle.

— CBS News, "Starbucks plans to stop offering plastic straws by 2020," 9 July 2018
Fayuca Gabo Fayuca and his bandmates filter their reggae through Latin alternative, ska-punk and a hint of prog with Captain Squeegee's Danny Torgersen on trumpet.

— ed masley, azcentral, "Phoenix local music picks: Anarbor, Eyes Set to Kill, Fayuca, Jared & the Mill, Bear Ghost," 7 July 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

Officials have urged passengers to use the Route 39 bus as an alternative.

— jackson cote, BostonGlobe.com, "Green Line service temporarily suspended between Brigham Circle and Heath Street," 12 July 2018
Walmart recently partnered with fintech startup Affirm Inc. to offer installment loans to some shoppers as an alternative to credit cards.

— liz hoffman, WSJ, "Walmart in Talks to Move Credit-Card Partnership to Capital One," 12 July 2018
If the tide does turn against Jordan with voters, Garrett is pitching herself as the alternative.

— tara golshan, Vox, "Meet the Democrat trying to unseat scandal-plagued Rep. Jim Jordan in his heavily Republican district," 11 July 2018
Commuters who use the parking lots south of the tracks are advised to follow posted detour signs and, as an alternative, daily fee commuter parking is available at the Oak Lawn and Worth stations, according to Metra.

— mike nolan, Daily Southtown, "Repairs to close Chicago Ridge railroad crossing," 9 July 2018
As an alternative, water may be purified by bringing it to a rapid boil for 3 to 5 minutes.

— sandiegouniontribune.com, "Here's what you should buy for your home should disaster strike," 8 July 2018
Riley, who both directed the film and wrote the screenplay, was open to the change, even suggesting rubber gloves as an alternative.

— anna moeslein, Glamour, "Tessa Thompson's 'Sorry to Bother You' Costumes Are a Wardrobe Road Map to Fighting the Patriarchy," 6 July 2018
Its supporters see the nonprofit as an alternative to traditional criminal justice interventions at a time when the city continues to battle high levels of crime.

— yvonne wenger, latimes.com, "Nonprofit group begins relentless pursuit of Baltimore's most dangerous young men — to change them," 4 July 2018
Its supporters see the nonprofit as an alternative to customary criminal justice interventions at a time when the city continues to battle high levels of crime.

— yvonne wenger, baltimoresun.com, "Nonprofit Roca begins relentless pursuit of Baltimore's most dangerous young men — to change them," 4 July 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

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alternative

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ALTERNATIVE Defined for English Language Learners

alternative

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alternative

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alternative

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medical Definition of alternative

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alternative

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alternative

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