Definition of choicenext
1
2
3
4
5
as in election
the act or process of selecting you'll have to make a choice eventually

Synonyms & Similar Words

choice

2 of 2

adjective

1
2
3
as in selected
singled out from a number or group as more to one's liking the restaurant offers a small but choice list of wines from some of Europe's finest viticultural regions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun choice contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of choice are alternative, election, option, preference, and selection. While all these words mean "the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen," choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely.

freedom of choice

When might alternative be a better fit than choice?

The words alternative and choice can be used in similar contexts, but alternative implies a need to choose one and reject another possibility.

equally attractive alternatives

When is election a more appropriate choice than choice?

Although the words election and choice have much in common, election implies an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment.

doing a tax return forces certain elections on you

When could option be used to replace choice?

While in some cases nearly identical to choice, option implies a power to choose that is specifically granted or guaranteed.

the option of paying now or later

Where would preference be a reasonable alternative to choice?

The words preference and choice are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, preference suggests a choice guided by one's judgment or predilections.

a preference for cool weather

When is it sensible to use selection instead of choice?

While the synonyms selection and choice are close in meaning, 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 choice
Noun
The verdicts came after prosecutors argued Dominguez made deliberate choices during the attacks despite symptoms of schizophrenia, while defense attorneys argued his mental illness prevented him from forming criminal intent. Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2026 Gilt yields fell across the curve on Tuesday morning, suggesting markets were calmed by Burnham's cabinet choices. Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 21 July 2026
Adjective
Her story about not wanting to flash her nips at the then–Prince of Wales is choice. Bethy Squires, Vulture, 21 Nov. 2025 In a three-way race between first-time candidates, Julie Aldridge, a substitute teacher in Olathe who was endorsed by the pro-choice Greater Kansas City Women’s Political Caucus, defeated her main rival, Melissa Hershey, a registered nurse and paraprofessional who was endorsed by Kansans for Life. Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for choice
Recent Examples of Synonyms for choice
Noun
  • Beyond reducing component counts, the approach broadens supply chain options, speeds manufacturing, and provides greater flexibility when increasing output.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 July 2026
  • In those circumstances, and with United looking at options on the left wing, including Crysencio Summerville, the prospect of Rashford returning, thus saving the club a fee for a new signing, has increased.
    Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 21 July 2026
Noun
  • In their quest for Champions League qualification back then, Villa took a bet on Rashford providing an immediate impact, with senior figures stating that his salary — Villa covered 80 per cent of it — was double that of their next highest earner.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • Forget lavish hotels and party spaces, the fix the city previously banked on, but which has proven a losing bet.
    Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
Noun
  • Atwell, the 26-year-old five-year veteran, has modest career bests of 67 receptions (2023), 562 yards (2024), and three touchdowns (2023).
    Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 10 July 2026
  • Mahrez is retiring from international soccer as a five-time Premier League winner and one of Africa's bests.
    Juliana Kim, NPR, 6 July 2026
Noun
  • Technologies completed the test with Shield AI’s Hivemind mission-autonomy software.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 19 July 2026
  • However, the fight for more consumer autonomy has emerged in the automotive industry as well.
    Joshua Hong, Fortune, 19 July 2026
Noun
  • Polymarket is part of a booming, multibillion-dollar industry, which allows people to bet on the outcome of almost any future event, from the results of football games and elections, to the number of social media posts Elon Musk makes.
    Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
  • Those primary elections have been conducted under this system that the president said is catastrophically vulnerable.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 16 July 2026
Adjective
  • Singer-songwriter events are held on select Mondays, while regular hours are concentrated around Thursday through Saturday.
    Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • Every autograph card carries an on-card signature and a limited run of 100, and select base and foil cards were produced as unique one-of-one pieces.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 July 2026
Adjective
  • The roofline leaves enough headroom for actual adults, the cargo area is genuinely useful, and visibility remains excellent.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 20 July 2026
  • City Colleges of Chicago, the University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago State University and National Louis University, among others, have built their reputations on the premise that everyone deserves access to an excellent education.
    Andrea Sáenz, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026
Adjective
  • Some cool features include a kill switch that automatically disconnects you from the internet if the VPN connection fails, as well as split tunneling that allows selected apps to use the VPN connection while others transmit data in clear text.
    K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 25 June 2026
  • These pre-selected fighter pilots and their families moved into their apartments during the summer of 1960 after residing at the Frunze Central Airfield in Moscow.
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 27 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Choice.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/choice. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on choice

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster