elective 1 of 2

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

Relevance

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
Well, one reason is that Villaraigosa hasn’t held elective office in nearly 12 years and has been out of the public spotlight. George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2025 And, not all patients are seeking elective abortions. Alyssa Goldberg, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
Noun
While Ocean Week is for elementary school, sixth graders in the graphic design elective with Jackie Mendez also got involved, designing posters for each habitat. Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Feb. 2024 Philosophy and ethics electives allow students to explore moral reasoning, logic, and the foundations of justice. Christopher Rim, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for elective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elective
Adjective
  • As mentioned, the Bellbird comes with a lot of optional upgrades and there are too many to list in full.
    Adam Williams May 17, New Atlas, 17 May 2025
  • Brand building, trust and positioning are essential, not optional.
    Raja Walia, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • But first, a refresher on how to build a better brunch classic.
    Emily Price, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
  • Press play on some 1960s French pop music and read on for a refresher.
    Sezin Devi Koehler, EW.com, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • Death by a firing squad is an option in Idaho, although the state hasn’t carried out an execution since 2012.
    Jorge L. Ortiz, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • The Environmental Working Group’s Healthy Living app is another option.
    Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 17 May 2025
Adjective
  • First, the team worked with cat owners to obtain voluntary samples.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • An estimated 76,000 people, or 16.6 percent over the age of 65, are living with Alzheimer’s in Miami-Dade County according to research by Alzheimer’s Association, the worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to care, support and research.
    CHRISTINA MAYO, Miami Herald, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • Pickle flavor, of course, isn’t just delegated to counter-service restaurants.
    Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • They were being called out publicly, of course, but that forced them to look at themselves and decide to change.
    Brent Lang, Variety, 20 May 2025
Noun
  • Workshops and seminars can cater to a larger audience, providing valuable insights on specific topics and generating substantial revenue in a single event.
    Doaa K. Darwish, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
  • Go to that author’s book signing, lecture, seminar or Q&A, Woodruff-Santos said — since the audience would likely be people in businesses with an interest in IT security.
    Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 8 May 2025
Noun
  • The decision drew pushback from a coalition of doctors, clinics, hospitals and other healthcare groups that supported the proposition, which nearly 68% of voters backed.
    Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2025
  • While access to procedural abortions is available in Planned Parenthood clinics in Kansas City, Columbia, and St. Louis, medication abortions are still inaccessible.
    Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • Teaching a baseball class in the fall got the team better prepared for the spring season, enabling 11 seniors to be part of a special year.
    Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2025
  • Parents can offer children opportunities to develop their strengths through summer classes, clubs, and teams—or simply unstructured time at home.
    Russell Shaw, The Atlantic, 12 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Elective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elective. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on elective

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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