as in options
the power, right, or opportunity to choose
there's no alternative: we must cross the stream to reach our destination
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Recent Examples of alternatives
Chicken stock and chicken bone broth are also great alternatives.
—
Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 27 Feb. 2026
As alternatives, a small potted plant or flowers in a jar would be another way to thank the hosts without creating extra work.
—R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 27 Feb. 2026
The industry says classifying EWA as a loan could have the perverse effect of sending consumers back to higher-cost, risky alternatives such as payday loans or pawn shops by imposing unnecessary restrictions, such as mandatory fees, interest charges and credit reporting requirements.
—Cheryl Winokur Munk, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2026
Replace bread and pasta made with refined white flour with whole-grain alternatives.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 27 Feb. 2026
MorphCostumes has scoured the world for alternatives to Chinese production, including Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Cambodia.
—Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
Then, companies conduct clinical trials to demonstrate if a device can achieve that goal better or more safely than alternatives.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 26 Feb. 2026
Faux and fleece alternatives tend to be easy to clean at home.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Feb. 2026
These labels may lead clinicians to rely on broader, less effective, or more toxic alternatives.
—Jordan Shaked, Hartford Courant, 20 Feb. 2026
Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 27 Feb. 2026
As alternatives, a small potted plant or flowers in a jar would be another way to thank the hosts without creating extra work.
—R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 27 Feb. 2026
The industry says classifying EWA as a loan could have the perverse effect of sending consumers back to higher-cost, risky alternatives such as payday loans or pawn shops by imposing unnecessary restrictions, such as mandatory fees, interest charges and credit reporting requirements.
—Cheryl Winokur Munk, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2026
Replace bread and pasta made with refined white flour with whole-grain alternatives.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 27 Feb. 2026
MorphCostumes has scoured the world for alternatives to Chinese production, including Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Cambodia.
—Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
Then, companies conduct clinical trials to demonstrate if a device can achieve that goal better or more safely than alternatives.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 26 Feb. 2026
Faux and fleece alternatives tend to be easy to clean at home.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Feb. 2026
These labels may lead clinicians to rely on broader, less effective, or more toxic alternatives.
—Jordan Shaked, Hartford Courant, 20 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alternatives
Noun
-
The order-to-go coffee is properly made, and the pastry options are substantial.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Bars have had a lot of success with non-alcoholic options, including mocktails and non-alcoholic beers and have expanded their food and social activities, said Wadford.—
Betty Lin-Fisher,
USA Today,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Popular choices include simple carbohydrates like cereal, granola, white bread, or pastries.—
Desireé Oostland,
Vogue,
4 Mar. 2026
-
These are policy choices the governments have to make.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Alternatives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternatives. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
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