alternative

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

Updated on: 21 May 2018

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

But Bonde said the group could have continued using paper ballots and an alternative counting technique.

— paul a. smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Smith: Wisconsin Conservation Congress to allow online voting at spring hearings," 16 May 2018
Glanzman believes his study offers just that—evidence of an alternative mechanism for memory storage.

— brigit katz, Smithsonian, "Scientists Say They Have Transferred ‘Memories’ Between Snails," 15 May 2018
People who are currently booked to visit Virunga National Park should get in touch with their booking agent to discuss alternative travel.

— erin florio, Condé Nast Traveler, "Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Suspends Tourism," 14 May 2018
More than a few, including selections from Nine Inch Nails and Radiohead, came from 1990s alternative radio.

— angela watercutter, WIRED, "Westworld Is Turning Into Lost—for Better or for Worse," 14 May 2018
Yet another alternative form of transportation is coming to San Francisco.

— matier & ross, San Francisco Chronicle, "From plaza to park by wire — aerial tram coming to Transbay Transit Center," 13 May 2018
The regional parliament's speaker says pro-independence parties will not nominate an alternative candidate.

— jeremy wallace, Houston Chronicle, "Texas violated federal voting laws, judge rules," 11 May 2018
In Steiner’s alternative history, Hitler does not commit suicide as the war ends but flees to a remote reach of the Amazon rain forest.

— ruth margalit, The New Yorker, "The Mail," 11 May 2018
Nine Inch Nails are returning to Chicago a year after headlining Riot Fest, bringing influential alternative act The Jesus & Mary Chain along for two nights at Aragon Ballroom.

— jessi roti, chicagotribune.com, "Nine Inch Nails, The Jesus & Mary Chain book two nights at Aragon Ballroom," 10 May 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

There are alternatives, including a quarterly survey that tracks how wages are changing industry-by-industry and another that follows the changing paychecks of specific individuals.

— evan horowitz, BostonGlobe.com, "Wage growth is anemic, and that’s all you really care about," 17 May 2018
After Martisevs and Bondars were arrested and Scan4You traffic dropped to zero, Trend Micro researchers expected to displaced customers rush to the few reputable alternatives, especially a counter-antivirus service called VirusCheckMate.

— lily hay newman, WIRED, "Inside the Takedown of a Notorious Malware Clearinghouse," 16 May 2018
In October of last year, at just 25-years-old, Nareasha launched her fashion brand Black Vogue to present an alternative, more inclusive, fashion image.

— amira rasool, Teen Vogue, "How 'Ghetto Until Proven Fashionable' Shirt Designer Nareasha Willis Fights Cultural Appropriation," 15 May 2018
The presence of a payday loan at all suggests a lack of alternatives and, in turn, questionable financial choices.

— special to cleveland.com, cleveland.com, "How much debt repels daters? - New survey shows average amounts that turn off suitors," 14 May 2018
Menéndez heard about the situation and called officials to help navigate a safe, humane alternative.

— peggy fikac, San Antonio Express-News, "Charlie’s plight a ‘tiny story in a massive story of cruelty’: sanctuary founder," 13 May 2018
Officials are in a quandary about whether to build bike lanes on a stretch of Mellonville Avenue in the road or go with a cheaper alternative, doubling the size of the existing sidewalk to 8 feet wide.

— martin e. comas, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Bicyclists frustrated by Seminole's lack of decision on Lake Monroe Loop gap," 12 May 2018
As a neuroscientist, however, I’m forced to consider another alternative, however distasteful.

— lisa feldman barrett, Time, "Why Men Need to Stop Relying on Non-Verbal Consent, According to a Neuroscientist," 11 May 2018
Some rummaging around, Muyldermans says, turned up an alternative: a stash of frozen dromedary camel serum collected to study the animals' parasites.

— mitch leslie, Science | AAAS, "Mini-antibodies discovered in sharks and camels could lead to drugs for cancer and other diseases," 10 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

alternativeness

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Origin and Etymology of alternative

alternative

Definition of alternative

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Origin and Etymology of alternative

alternative Synonyms

Synonyms

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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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