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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of optional
Front-wheel drive is standard, all-wheel drive is optional.
—
James Raia, Mercury News, 18 May 2026
Its light-amplification system has also been expanded to include optional thermal imaging and optical overlays.
—David Szondy
may 17, New Atlas, 17 May 2026
Sparkling water cost $3 and the optional viewing glasses for the show were $3.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 16 May 2026
The council also outlined optional surcharges—subject to separate approval—for excess use, starting at $4 per 1,000 gallons above allocations and $8 above baselines.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for optional
James Raia, Mercury News, 18 May 2026
Its light-amplification system has also been expanded to include optional thermal imaging and optical overlays.
—David Szondy
may 17, New Atlas, 17 May 2026
Sparkling water cost $3 and the optional viewing glasses for the show were $3.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 16 May 2026
The council also outlined optional surcharges—subject to separate approval—for excess use, starting at $4 per 1,000 gallons above allocations and $8 above baselines.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for optional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for optional
Adjective
-
Housing First programs provide immediate, low-barrier housing with voluntary services.—
Shianne LeClaire,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
-
In the letter to Yale, Dhillon alleged the New Haven, Connecticut, school was violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibiting discrimination and said the DOJ is seeking to enter into a voluntary resolution agreement with the university.—
Dave Collins,
Fortune,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
The Schwendemans moved to Italy in 2022 from Naples, Florida, on elective residency visas, which are open to applicants who will not be working and are moving to Italy long-term.—
Carole Rosenblat,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
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Evening elective sessions cover nutrition and wellness topics, and there’s a cooking demonstration and garden tour built into the week.—
Lauren Schuster,
Sacbee.com,
11 May 2026
Adjective
-
Main Street consumers are showing fresh signs of struggle, the technical analyst noted, with the equal-weight consumer discretionary index falling to fresh lows compared to the equal-weight S & P 500.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
11 May 2026
-
Perez said such relief is highly discretionary and varies by state, and even if granted, additional immigration proceedings would be required before any lawful return.—
Hanna Park,
CNN Money,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Optional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/optional. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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