elective 1 of 2

Definition of electivenext
as in optional
subject to one's freedom of choice a plastic surgeon who mainly does face-lifting and other kinds of elective surgery

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

elective

2 of 2

noun

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 elective
Adjective
Board members also approved a plan to identify employment areas at the campus that will receive the layoffs, including core subject and elective teachers, special education and other professional positions. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Mar. 2026 Where trading Sherwood and Hughes were deals Vancouver had to make, trading Myers’ deal was really the first elective rebuilding trade of this era of Canucks history. Thomas Drance, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Noun
In high-poverty districts like CPS, schools may be forced to cut arts programs, electives, extracurriculars or reduce counseling, library and mental health staff. Hope Moses, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026 Simon said the school aims to integrate robotics in its Gateway to Tech elective in the next year. Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for elective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elective
Adjective
  • The question box includes a space for your name, but this is optional.
    Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2026
  • No payday lender ever made the payment of fees and interest optional.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Customers who know the recipe or use the Starbucks mobile app can order the refresher variation.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
  • For a refresher, the grand jury noted that supervisors obscured the raise, which boosted their pay above the governor’s, from public scrutiny.
    The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 18 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • With Kyle Teel sidelined four to six weeks because of a right hamstring strain, McGuire joins Edgar Quero as options behind the plate.
    LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
  • Weigh the options under the Gemini moon.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Florida remains committed to longstanding constitutional protections for voluntary prayer and religious expression in our public schools.
    Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
  • While starter home districts would circumvent communities’ larger lot restrictions, that very fact would seem to generally restrict their voluntary adoption in those circumstances.
    Boston Herald editorial staff, Boston Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Bake loaves of bread, of course.
    Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
  • My wild hope that a sentence or paragraph would explain things was, of course, frustrated.
    Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The research facility, part of the Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State, hosts several seminars throughout the year, aimed at search dogs at different stages of training.
    Liz Teitz, San Antonio Express-News, 19 Mar. 2026
  • Throughout the year, guests can partake in flower arranging workshops, cooking classes, tastings, and seminars at the Culinary Academy with Executive Chef Riccardo Bacciottini.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • But the origins of vasectomies becoming linked to March Madness appear to trace back to a marketing campaign by an Oregon urology clinic, which took out a radio advertisement in the late 2000s.
    Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026
  • The clinic will remain closed for the rest of the week while the investigation continues.
    Dan Raby, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Although this year’s edition of the Oscars, which aired on ABC on March 15, was hardly in the class of the 1972 installment, there was at least one moment that recalled Johnson’s witty, graceful sendup of stars commandeering the ceremony to climb atop their soapbox.
    Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
  • The union represents more than 900 non-tenure faculty who teach about a quarter of classes.
    Naomi Ruchim, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Elective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elective. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.

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