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
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Garrett opted to stick with his lineup that had been playing well for most of the fourth quarter rather than subbing in fresh legs off the bench during San Clemente’s run.
—Michael Huntley, Oc Register, 22 Jan. 2026
Helen posed with the jacket unzipped, showing off a white T-shirt and an orange bag, while her kids opted to keep their jackets zipped.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
According to the court filings, Flores had been in ICE custody since September and opted for deportation.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for opt
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
Some therapists are opting to use AI during therapy sessions with their clients and do so in these astute ways; see my coverage at the link here.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Garrett opted to stick with his lineup that had been playing well for most of the fourth quarter rather than subbing in fresh legs off the bench during San Clemente’s run.
—Michael Huntley, Oc Register, 22 Jan. 2026
Helen posed with the jacket unzipped, showing off a white T-shirt and an orange bag, while her kids opted to keep their jackets zipped.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
According to the court filings, Flores had been in ICE custody since September and opted for deportation.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 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 25 Jan. 2026.
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