alternative 1 of 2

alternative

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adjective

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun alternative contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of alternative are choice, election, option, preference, and selection. While all these words mean "the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen," alternative implies a need to choose one and reject another possibility.

equally attractive alternatives

When can choice be used instead of alternative?

The words choice and alternative are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely.

freedom of choice

In what contexts can election take the place of alternative?

The synonyms election and alternative are sometimes interchangeable, but election implies an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment.

doing a tax return forces certain elections on you

When is option a more appropriate choice than alternative?

The meanings of option and alternative largely overlap; however, option implies a power to choose that is specifically granted or guaranteed.

the option of paying now or later

When would preference be a good substitute for alternative?

While in some cases nearly identical to alternative, preference suggests a choice guided by one's judgment or predilections.

a preference for cool weather

Where would selection be a reasonable alternative to alternative?

The words selection and alternative can be used in similar contexts, but 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 alternative
Noun
Other updates include new flexible carousels that show alternative listings outside initial search criteria. Samantha Subin, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2025 Private credit loans are typically given out by nonbank lenders such as alternative asset managers, private equity firms, and pension funds. Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Your doctor can review side effects, interactions, and possible alternatives. Conviva Senior Primary Care, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2025 What does the alternative to that look like for him? Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for alternative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alternative
Noun
  • Shop early to secure your Christmas tree for less, and keep scrolling to see more on-sale options at Amazon starting at $33.
    Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Unlike the plush option that just comes with down clusters, the mid-plush and firm densities are down cluster and feather pillows.
    Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • About a dozen seats are expected to be filled by alternate members at this plenum.
    Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Tesseract, following a woman named Laila who embarks on a search through alternate realities for her missing child, boasts six episodes.
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • That means lots of bratwurst, plenty of beer and traditional and nontraditional tunes from the Zicke Zacke Band.
    Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The Stars’ success in Texas gave the NHL the necessary confidence to go to other nontraditional hockey markets all over the United States.
    Mac Engel October 14, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • How self-reflection operates matters because it will always be needed to make wiser choices about our toughest challenges.
    Big Think, Big Think, 18 Oct. 2025
  • The styling move — boots tucked cleanly under denim — is a classic styling choice for a reason.
    Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The cost per night, including taxes and additional fees (cleaning fees are often extra—and not optional), can quickly add up.
    Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Some of these technologies are essential for ensuring the proper functioning of the service or website and cannot be disabled, while others are optional but serve to enhance the user experience in various ways.
    Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The Minnesota Vikings took an unconventional approach to try to combat the tush push Sunday afternoon against the Philadelphia Eagles.
    Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Spiro is known for sourcing unconventional materials for his singular creations.
    Jill Newman, Robb Report, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • This means, cutting back on takeout and cooking more at home, pausing a couple extracurricular activities, and cutting all discretionary shopping.
    Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Sanogo said that, when individuals do not have the resources to buy everyday essentials or discretionary luxuries, seeing others treat expensive items casually can create feelings of scarcity, which may lead to envy or resentment.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • This particular system uses an underground connecting cable between two passenger cabins.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
  • By the time Fierstein graduated from art school in 1973, he was fully enmeshed in the downtown underground-theater scene.
    Zach Schiffman, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Alternative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternative. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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