alternative

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

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

Insurers bought up complex assets to lift returns after crisis Industry’s push into alternative assets also provides benefits Insurers got burned badly in the 2008 financial crisis.

— sonali basak, Bloomberg.com, "BlackRock Finds More Risk Assets at Insurers Than '08," 30 Aug. 2017
In addition, Trump wants to repeal the estate and alternative minimum taxes, two changes that would mostly benefit wealthy people.

— jim puzzanghera, chicagotribune.com, "Trump to kick off tax-cut push with speech devoid of details, White House says," 30 Aug. 2017
Initially, Mr. Taheri’s teachings were tolerated by Iran’s religious establishment, which is quite restrictive about alternative versions of its understanding of Shiite Islam.

— thomas erdbrink, New York Times, "Iran Sentences Faith Healing Shiite Mystic to Death," 28 Aug. 2017
The agreement sets a series of timetables for SCE to reach, both in regards to coming up with alternative locations for SONGS waste and assembling its panel of experts.

— rob nikolewski, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Court settlement looks to move nuclear waste from San Onofre," 28 Aug. 2017
Gray said employing an alternative strategy to negative campaigning remains unlikely for Strange, including a Trump appearance in Alabama.

— john sharp, AL.com, "How 'Big Luther' can score a big comeback in Alabama's Senate race," 27 Aug. 2017
Alternative Workouts AIR Aerial Fitness 1043-C Providence Road, Charlotte, 704-249-6757; 532 Governor Morrison Road, Charlotte, 704-232-4640.

— alicia thomas, charlotteobserver, "Get fit: Your guide to working out in the Queen City," 26 Aug. 2017
When the issue went to court in 1991, to everyone’s surprise, Idaho and Andrus won, forcing the federal government to study alternative sites and to complete a full environmental impact statement of waste storage at the lab.

— rocky barker, idahostatesman, "Andrus’ legacy: Idaho’s wild spaces, schools, nuclear cleanup," 25 Aug. 2017
Secondary schools, including all special schools and alternative schools, will dismiss at 2:41 p.m. That's a delay of 21 minutes from the typical school day, Acting Superintendent Marty Pollio has said.

— kirsten clark, The Courier-Journal, "School eclipse day schedules: What Kentuckiana parents need to know," 21 Aug. 2017

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

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

In the meantime, researchers are looking for alternatives to foreign sites.

— dennis normile, Science | AAAS, "Science suffers as China’s internet censors plug holes in Great Firewall," 30 Aug. 2017
Coconut sugar has been gaining visibility in the last year, as people seek an alternative to alternative sweeteners like agave and honey.

— christine muhlke, Bon Appetit, "I Can't Stop Putting Coconut Sugar in Everything," 25 Aug. 2017
Watch live NASA is the prime spot for viewing the eclipse livestream and the U.S. space agency is offering numerous alternatives for seeing the event.

— leada gore, AL.com, "Solar eclipse 2017: What time does solar eclipse start?," 21 Aug. 2017
At the time, forcing Indians to assimilate into white society was considered a humane alternative to killing them outright.

— jeff gammage, Philly.com, "At last, the Indian children have come home," 18 Aug. 2017
Some developers, though, are repurposing gas stations—usually older versions that offer a bit more charm—as a cheaper alternative to the knock-down-and-rebuild model.

— neal broverman, Los Angeles Magazine, "Developers Have Uncovered a Brilliant Use for LA’s Old Gas Stations," 16 Aug. 2017
At Wired UK, Hayley Campbell explores this process of water cremation, which a growing number of advocates is calling a cleaner, more efficient, and ultimately less expensive alternative to burial and traditional cremation.

— cheri lucas rowlands, Longreads, "What the Future of Death Looks Like," 16 Aug. 2017
Chamber President Kristin Kemak said the chamber will look to hold an alternative event that highlights other outdoor opportunities.

— eric barker, idahostatesman, "Steelhead run is so bad, it’s catch-and-release only in Idaho for 1st time in years," 16 Aug. 2017
A close alternative: using a peel pad system — try Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel, $48, or Colbert MD Intensify Facial Discs, $70.

— liz krieger, Cosmopolitan, "10 Things You Need to Know Before Exfoliating Your Face," 14 Aug. 2017

Origin and Etymology of alternative

see ¹alternate

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1576

See Words from the same year

alternative Synonyms

Synonyms

choice, discretion, druthers [dialect], election, liberty, option, pick, preference, selection, volition, way

Related Words

determination, free will, will; say, voice, vote; inclination, liking, partiality, penchant, predilection, proclivity, propensity, tendency; discernment, judgment (or judgement), perspicacity

Near Antonyms

coercion, duress, force; duty, obligation; Hobson's choice

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

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for alternative Spanish Central: Translation of alternative Nglish: Translation of alternative for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of alternative for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about alternative

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up alternative? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

alternative

Definition of alternative

alternatively

alternativeness

Explore Merriam-Webster

Examples of alternative in a Sentence

Recent Examples of alternative from the Web

Origin and Etymology of alternative

alternative

Definition of alternative

Examples of alternative in a Sentence

Recent Examples of alternative from the Web

Origin and Etymology of alternative

alternative Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

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

Learn More about alternative

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

Trending: NY Times: Trump's Call Ignites 'Imbroglio'

The Exceptions Quiz III

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Words of the Year: 1066