as in voluntary
subject to one's freedom of choice
at the resort all recreational activities are optional, and you may choose to participate in none of them
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of optional
When the entity being investigated decides what records investigators may see and when, oversight becomes optional.
—
Vaughn Stewart, Baltimore Sun, 7 Mar. 2026
For a battery pack going into a vehicle driven on public roads, containment wasn’t optional.
—Ryan Brennan
march 6, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2026
An underslung spare wheel holder and Cruisemaster DO35 articulating hitch are standard, and optional upgrades include an airbag suspension and rear recovery points.
—New Atlas, 6 Mar. 2026
On Friday, Crosby joined his teammates for an optional skate session.
—CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for optional
Vaughn Stewart, Baltimore Sun, 7 Mar. 2026
For a battery pack going into a vehicle driven on public roads, containment wasn’t optional.
—Ryan Brennan
march 6, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2026
An underslung spare wheel holder and Cruisemaster DO35 articulating hitch are standard, and optional upgrades include an airbag suspension and rear recovery points.
—New Atlas, 6 Mar. 2026
On Friday, Crosby joined his teammates for an optional skate session.
—CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for optional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for optional
Adjective
-
Grief counselors provided comfort, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes organized voluntary student prayer services.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
14 Mar. 2026
-
The private safety and quality data is collected via voluntary surveys sent to hospitals.—
Ken Alltucker,
USA Today,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Board members also approved a plan to identify employment areas at the campus that will receive the layoffs, including core subject and elective teachers, special education and other professional positions.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Where trading Sherwood and Hughes were deals Vancouver had to make, trading Myers’ deal was really the first elective rebuilding trade of this era of Canucks history.—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Much of the money came from district discretionary funds.—
Tony Saavedra,
Oc Register,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Consumers are prioritizing essentials as discretionary spending declines.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Optional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/optional. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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