alternatives

noun

plural of alternative
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

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 alternatives Meanwhile, Huawei and other Chinese companies have ramped up efforts to build alternatives. — Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026 The dearth of Patriot interceptors in Europe would leave few alternatives for shooting down Russia’s more advanced ballistic missiles, which can be combined with swarms of inexpensive drones to overwhelm defenses, experts say. — Emma Burrows, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 The Pets Table offers recipes featuring salmon and pork, providing alternatives that can help pet parents find a better fit for their individual dog. — Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 Nvidia and several other tech companies have publicly supported the role of open-weight models as alternatives to the proprietary closed-frontier models trained by companies like OpenAI and Anthropic. — Samuel Axon, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2026 That matters as domestic industries seek alternatives to foreign rare earth supply chains. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026 Atrium Health said the plans include outpatient and specialty services designed to give patients alternatives to relying on emergency departments for routine care. — Jamal Goss, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026 The Kowalczyk decision reset the status quo for money bail, ruling that judges must consider other non-monetary alternatives before assigning bail. — Evelyn Ronan, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026 Maryland’s Office of People’s Counsel has raised serious questions about whether PJM adequately considered alternatives to massive new transmission projects. — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alternatives
  1. options
  2. choices
Noun
  • The deadline has passed for players to be eligible for the postseason if waived by another team, so Las Vegas has to look outside the WNBA for options.
    — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • And while von Furstenberg gravitated to something more minimalist and streamlined for her look, there’s plenty of options out there for the more flamboyant sun-seekers, too.
    — Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of options
Noun
  • The Sun conjoins Mercury in Virgo and your 1st House of Self, sharpening your voice, presence, choices, and personal direction.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Clients are looking for a partner who grasps their objectives, assists with key financial choices, and adapts alongside them as their circumstances shift, said Scott Stearsman, head of Premier and branch banking at Truist.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of choices

Browse Nearby Words

alternatively
alternatives
alters
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Cite this Entry

“Alternatives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternatives. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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