opted; opting; opts
: to make a choice
especially
: to decide in favor of something
… opted for a tax increase … —
Tom Wicker
Tom Wicker After perusing the menu he opted for the prime rib.
1
optical; optician; optics
2
option; optional
Examples of opt in a Sentence
Verb
after that near catastrophe, they opted to reinstate the telephone service
Recent Examples on the Web
Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 22 June 2026
The La Roja boss didn’t react quickly enough to the situation, instead opting for more of the same after the halftime break – rightly or wrongly relying on his mainstay players who largely brought him to this point – and didn’t change anyone until the 71st minute.
—Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 21 June 2026
For possibly the easiest method to line-dry your clothes, opt for a budget-friendly clothesline like this design that doesn’t require any hooks, spacers, or hangers.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 21 June 2026
Miguel said many customers are opting to grab their drinks and go rather than linger outside as smoke drifts through the neighborhood.
—Kayla Bartkowski, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for opt
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
Matching your belt, shoes, and purse is an easy way to make an outfit feel intentional and look cohesive, and Swift did so by opting for a similarly rich brown leather style.
—Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 22 June 2026
The La Roja boss didn’t react quickly enough to the situation, instead opting for more of the same after the halftime break – rightly or wrongly relying on his mainstay players who largely brought him to this point – and didn’t change anyone until the 71st minute.
—Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 21 June 2026
For possibly the easiest method to line-dry your clothes, opt for a budget-friendly clothesline like this design that doesn’t require any hooks, spacers, or hangers.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 21 June 2026
Miguel said many customers are opting to grab their drinks and go rather than linger outside as smoke drifts through the neighborhood.
—Kayla Bartkowski, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for opt
Cite this Entry
“Opt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opt. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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