as in options
the power, right, or opportunity to choose
there's no alternative: we must cross the stream to reach our destination
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of alternatives
According to Politico, citing a person familiar with the executive order, the White House is looking for other alternatives that would avoid a vote.
—
Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
Bing Maps, Apple Maps, and other Google alternatives have no issue showing COVID vaccine providers.
—Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 4 Sep. 2025
That is leading employers to focus more on cancer prevention and screenings, including expanding coverage of breast cancer screenings and alternatives to colonoscopies.
—Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
Without a body to put to rest, even when there is no other logical conclusion than death, people can imagine and cling to the most improbable of alternatives.
—Bjorn Dihle, Outdoor Life, 4 Sep. 2025
For example, your smartphone now has settings that offer blue light alternatives for nighttime use.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
If fear of embarrassment is influencing how Gen Z engages at work, leaders should name it and offer alternatives.
—Ruth Oh Reitmeier, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Coming up with a new, good idea that actually makes explicit predictions that can be tested, and then the results can be compared against the alternatives, including the previously prevailing theory, is a very tall order, but a necessary hurdle to clear in order for a novel idea to be accepted.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 28 Aug. 2025
The city is updating signs to reflect the new ParkMobile option and offers free transportation alternatives like the trolley and Freebee electric car service.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2025
Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
Bing Maps, Apple Maps, and other Google alternatives have no issue showing COVID vaccine providers.
—Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 4 Sep. 2025
That is leading employers to focus more on cancer prevention and screenings, including expanding coverage of breast cancer screenings and alternatives to colonoscopies.
—Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
Without a body to put to rest, even when there is no other logical conclusion than death, people can imagine and cling to the most improbable of alternatives.
—Bjorn Dihle, Outdoor Life, 4 Sep. 2025
For example, your smartphone now has settings that offer blue light alternatives for nighttime use.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
If fear of embarrassment is influencing how Gen Z engages at work, leaders should name it and offer alternatives.
—Ruth Oh Reitmeier, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Coming up with a new, good idea that actually makes explicit predictions that can be tested, and then the results can be compared against the alternatives, including the previously prevailing theory, is a very tall order, but a necessary hurdle to clear in order for a novel idea to be accepted.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 28 Aug. 2025
The city is updating signs to reflect the new ParkMobile option and offers free transportation alternatives like the trolley and Freebee electric car service.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alternatives
Noun
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Carpentersville recently rezoned its portion of the property for residential use while West Dundee’s is zoned for B2 commercial, which covers a lot of development options, Cavallaro said.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Sep. 2025
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Kansas City loved its receiving room coming into the season, but the team being without its top two options obviously is not ideal.—
Jesse Newell,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Thanks to amazing performances, wild fashion choices, and unexpected moments, the MTV Video Music Awards is typically one of the buzzier awards shows — and this year was no exception.—
Daysia Tolentino,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Sep. 2025
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The healthiest choices depend on your reasons for avoiding butter.—
Ann Pietrangelo,
Verywell Health,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Alternatives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternatives. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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