Synonym Chooser

How does the noun election contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of election are alternative, choice, option, preference, and selection. While all these words mean "the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen," election implies an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment.

doing a tax return forces certain elections on you

When is it sensible to use alternative instead of election?

While the synonyms alternative and election are close in meaning, alternative implies a need to choose one and reject another possibility.

equally attractive alternatives

When might choice be a better fit than election?

While in some cases nearly identical to election, choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely.

freedom of choice

When would option be a good substitute for election?

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

the option of paying now or later

When is preference a more appropriate choice than election?

In some situations, the words preference and election are roughly equivalent. However, preference suggests a choice guided by one's judgment or predilections.

a preference for cool weather

When could selection be used to replace election?

The words selection and election 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 election Trump's efforts to challenge his 2020 election loss to former President Joe Biden failed in court. Zac Anderson, USA Today, 21 June 2025 Millions protested during the 2009 Green Movement against what appeared to be a rigged presidential election. Nuri Kino, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025 The primary, on June 24, is considered the defining contest of the election, given the district’s heavy Democratic bent. Anthony Izaguirre, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025 Musk later slipped in a jab, suggesting that Trump and the Republicans could never have prevailed in last year’s elections without the $288 million that Musk spent to put them over the top. Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for election
Recent Examples of Synonyms for election
Noun
  • The summer of 2024 solidified Love Island USA as a top reality-TV choice for households across the country, and 2025 is proving to be a repeat success.
    Clarissa Brooks, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2025
  • While LLMs are certainly here to stay, and are likely to be further incorporated into our lives, the researchers hope their study can help users make better choices, switching between models depending on the task at hand.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • Best Quantum Fiber plans Quantum Fiber offers various plans, with the cheapest option starting at $45 a month.
    Kara McGinley, USA Today, 21 June 2025
  • Injuries have mounted, the options available to Chivu were limited.
    James Horncastle, New York Times, 21 June 2025
Noun
  • On Broadway, Thompson received a Tony nomination for his performance in August Wilson’s Jitney.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 1 July 2025
  • Erivo is coming off of an Oscar nomination for portraying the green witch Elphaba in Wicked, which grossed almost $800 million worldwide while earning 10 Oscar nominations and two wins.
    Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • Monday’s vote came 10 years to the day since the Board approved the city’s first-ever rent freeze for one-year leases under Mayor Bill de Blasio.
    Téa Kvetenadze, New York Daily News, 30 June 2025
  • The tax and domestic policy bill nearing a vote by Senate Republicans includes hundreds of provisions, including extended and expanded tax cuts and significant cuts to Medicaid, food benefits and other programs.
    Alicia Parlapiano, New York Times, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • In a moment when cultural winds shift rapidly, this Supreme Court decision anchors us to something enduring: the truth that children do best when raised by parents who are free to guide their moral and spiritual formation.
    Jeffrey S. Trimbath, Baltimore Sun, 29 June 2025
  • Toward the end of our conversation, Victor touched on a recent decision to start moving in and out of pronouns.
    Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 29 June 2025
Noun
  • Make your own watch classes that include taking one home begin at about $2,000 and run all the way the over $19,000 for the tourbillion.
    Larry Olmsted, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Or maybe the closures were economically motivated, just not in the way they’re being framed, said Scott Nova, executive director of the Worker Rights Consortium.
    Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • As complexity scales, agents can run into tool selection errors or apply context in ways that stop making sense.
    Kevin Novak, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • The 18-year-old Frenchman is considered a boom-or-bust selection who offers long-term upside and defensive versatility.
    Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Election.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/election. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on election

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