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
Gretta Monahan, Boston Herald, 19 Mar. 2026
When its agreement to provide fire service to Sheridan expired in 2025, Denver opted for a shorter, three-year deal running through 2028 with escalating annual increases of 4%, and 5%.
—Brian Maass, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2026
Two-term incumbent James Mendrick opted not to seek reelection in order to make a run, unsuccessfully, as a Republican in Tuesday’s gubernatorial primary.
—Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Investors often turn to it in times of geopolitical turmoil, but since the start of the Iran war, have opted instead to sell bonds for fear of rising inflation.
—Rachel Barber, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for opt
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Verb
And as with the rest of her fellow actresses who’d opted for aesthetics that put their beauty in the spotlight, her vibe was freeing and radiant.
—Gretta Monahan, Boston Herald, 19 Mar. 2026
When its agreement to provide fire service to Sheridan expired in 2025, Denver opted for a shorter, three-year deal running through 2028 with escalating annual increases of 4%, and 5%.
—Brian Maass, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2026
Two-term incumbent James Mendrick opted not to seek reelection in order to make a run, unsuccessfully, as a Republican in Tuesday’s gubernatorial primary.
—Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Investors often turn to it in times of geopolitical turmoil, but since the start of the Iran war, have opted instead to sell bonds for fear of rising inflation.
—Rachel Barber, USA Today, 18 Mar. 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 20 Mar. 2026.
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