choice 1 of 2

Definition of choicenext
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as in election
the act or process of selecting you'll have to make a choice eventually

Synonyms & Similar Words

choice

2 of 2

adjective

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as in selected
singled out from a number or group as more to one's liking the restaurant offers a small but choice list of wines from some of Europe's finest viticultural regions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun choice contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of choice are alternative, election, option, preference, and selection. While all these words mean "the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen," choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely.

freedom of choice

When might alternative be a better fit than choice?

The words alternative and choice can be used in similar contexts, but alternative implies a need to choose one and reject another possibility.

equally attractive alternatives

When is election a more appropriate choice than choice?

Although the words election and choice have much in common, election implies an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment.

doing a tax return forces certain elections on you

When could option be used to replace choice?

While in some cases nearly identical to choice, option implies a power to choose that is specifically granted or guaranteed.

the option of paying now or later

Where would preference be a reasonable alternative to choice?

The words preference and choice are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, preference suggests a choice guided by one's judgment or predilections.

a preference for cool weather

When is it sensible to use selection instead of choice?

While the synonyms selection and choice are close in meaning, selection implies a range of choice.

a varied selection of furniture

How does the noun choice contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of choice are alternative, election, option, preference, and selection. While all these words mean "the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen," choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely.

freedom of choice

When might alternative be a better fit than choice?

The words alternative and choice can be used in similar contexts, but alternative implies a need to choose one and reject another possibility.

equally attractive alternatives

When is election a more appropriate choice than choice?

Although the words election and choice have much in common, election implies an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment.

doing a tax return forces certain elections on you

When could option be used to replace choice?

While in some cases nearly identical to choice, option implies a power to choose that is specifically granted or guaranteed.

the option of paying now or later

Where would preference be a reasonable alternative to choice?

The words preference and choice are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, preference suggests a choice guided by one's judgment or predilections.

a preference for cool weather

When is it sensible to use selection instead of choice?

While the synonyms selection and choice are close in meaning, selection implies a range of choice.

a varied selection of furniture

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of choice
Noun
The choice also reflects the peeling back of historical layers. Essie Assibu, Variety, 29 Mar. 2026 Leaning into the stereotype that only pain can create great comedy is a bold choice when trying to make the argument about what’s wrong with an AI program leaning into stereotypes. Jennifer Silverman, Rolling Stone, 29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
That means Paulson gets much of the choicest dialogue and the most colorful invective. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2025 In a three-way race between first-time candidates, Julie Aldridge, a substitute teacher in Olathe who was endorsed by the pro-choice Greater Kansas City Women’s Political Caucus, defeated her main rival, Melissa Hershey, a registered nurse and paraprofessional who was endorsed by Kansans for Life. Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for choice
Recent Examples of Synonyms for choice
Noun
  • The spa also offers an array of signature treatments worth exploring—from wellness rituals (like the Signature Bamford Treatment, which includes a footbath, massage, and assisted yogic breathing) to body rituals (mud baths, sauna wraps) and facials (including a luxurious 24K gold option).
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Food pantries rarely offer mobile options, and SNAP cannot be used for home deliveries.
    Beth Shapiro, New York Daily News, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • And with Young in front of him, there’s not a lot of risk to that bet.
    Mike Kaye March 31, Charlotte Observer, 31 Mar. 2026
  • There is no evidence about who placed the timely bets—at least, not yet.
    John Cassidy, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • But Pickens wants a long-term deal, and 2025 brought lots of career-bests for him in a contract year.
    Dallas Morning News, Dallas Morning News, 16 Mar. 2026
  • All these people in their Sunday best.
    Will Croxton, CBS News, 15 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The prospect of autonomy remains a distant and fading dream.
    Big Think, Big Think, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Scale required sacrifice of autonomy.
    Kuo Zhang, Fortune, 23 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Since the ballot seizure, local election officials in Riverside County have debunked the allegations of irregularities by saying that the citizens' group's numbers were based on raw data that could have included unsigned ballots.
    Laurie Perez, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
  • But Trump’s election proved that a sizable contingent of the population had no problem imposing their values on others—and even hoped that the government might do so for them.
    Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • On select tours, a day-two agenda ventures deeper into the primary forest.
    Meghan Palmer, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Each ticket costs $5, and players may pick six numbers from two separate pools of numbers - five different numbers from 1 to 70 (the white balls) and one number from 1 to 24 (the gold Mega Ball) - or select Easy Pick/Quick Pick.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The Horned Frogs had a mix of air raid and veer-and-shoot principles under Briles, but are expected to move more to a pro-style scheme under Sammis, who had excellent success with that style of offense at UConn.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 2026
  • In the pre-show rooms, both real-life actors seen were excellent at interacting with real-life visitors and prerecorded monotone movie stars.
    Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The gist, however, seems to be that extra-terrestrials make contact with a selected few, before promising to go public to the entire world — good luck dealing with the ramifications of that one, human race!
    Richard Edwards, Space.com, 31 Dec. 2025
  • The selected cohort—Diamond Batiste, Ciara Boniface, Jeremy Hsing, Alejandra López and Brittany Alexia Young—were chosen from nearly 1,000 submissions, placing them at the forefront of a new chapter in cinematic storytelling.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 23 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Choice.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/choice. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.

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