Synonyms of election

election

noun

i-ˈlek-shən 

1

as in choice

the act or process of selecting

the election of a major is something that every college student has to do at some point

Synonyms & Similar Words

• choice
• nomination
• decision
• selection
• appointment
• selecting
• choosing
• picking
• naming
• option
• designation
• assignment

2

as in option

the power, right, or opportunity to choose

at the country inn, breakfast in bed is entirely at the election of the guest

Synonyms & Similar Words

• option
• choice
• vote
• way
• alternative
• liberty
• preference
• selection
• pick
• discretion
• volition
• determination
• druthers
• voice
• will
• free will
• say
• judgment
• liking
• tendency
• inclination
• predilection
• partiality
• discernment
• propensity
• penchant
• proclivity
• perspicacity

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• force
• coercion
• duty
• obligation
• duress
• Hobson's choice

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

Recent Examples of election

The commonwealth's gubernatorial race — one of just two held the year after presidential elections — is often seen as a temperature check on how voters feel about leaders in Washington. —Jahd Khalil, NPR, 2 Nov. 2025

That has already smashed the record for a mayoral election in New York. —ABC News, 2 Nov. 2025

However, the former vice president ultimately lost the election in November 2024 to Trump. —Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 2 Nov. 2025

At the start of September, after his party lost a local election in Buenos Aires province, traders dumped the peso, which the government had pegged to the dollar to restrain inflation. —John Cassidy, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025