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
1
as in refresher
Related Words
2
as in option
Related Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of elective
Catherine Ho, San Francisco Chronicle, 16 Mar. 2026
Additional elective teachers and administrative support increase staffing costs, meaning the program requires higher enrollment to remain financially sustainable.
—Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 13 Mar. 2026
Howard Gleckman, Forbes.com, 26 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
Adjective
Some members may need to reschedule non-urgent appointments and elective surgeries.
—Catherine Ho, San Francisco Chronicle, 16 Mar. 2026
Additional elective teachers and administrative support increase staffing costs, meaning the program requires higher enrollment to remain financially sustainable.
—Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 13 Mar. 2026
Noun
The share of med schools offering geriatrics even as an elective fell from 89% to 71%.
—Howard Gleckman, Forbes.com, 26 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
-
Some of these technologies are essential for ensuring the proper functioning of the service or website and cannot be disabled, while others are optional but serve to enhance the user experience in various ways.—
Walden Green,
Pitchfork,
6 Apr. 2026
-
In addition to sharing contact and school information, the link for the image, and a 200-400 artist statement describing your flag, students will answer a series of short, optional questions about their process.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
As a refresher for those who might not be familiar with Michter’s Celebration—this is the fifth edition (it’s listed as the 2025 release, but was released in February), and the first release in four years.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Marlowe and Shakespeare were just refreshers for me and also gave me a chance to act out monologues for my cellmates, much to their delight and confusion.—
Jeremy O. Harris,
Vanity Fair,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Early in 2010, the group issued a draft laying out weather scenarios, priority areas, and a menu of projects and financing options.—
Eric Klinenberg,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The other option is to leave the kids at home with a trusted sitter.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Denver Post,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
With some companies pausing travel to risky areas until further notice, voluntary flight cancellations on Europe to Asia routes more than doubled in the first week of March, according to data from travel agency Perk.—
Sydney Goh,
CNBC,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Overall, 92,000 jobs were lost, and the voluntary quitting rate dropped — seen as a measure of employees’ confidence in their ability to find new work.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Small improvements compound over the course of the day — picking up a mess here, choosing the healthier option there.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The beloved design exudes coziness and Southern charm with a touch of nostalgia from grandma, of course, because no home of hers was complete without a touch of gingham.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Earlier this month, the organization hosted a seminar with special effects makeup artist Veniesa Dillon on sculpting techniques and prosthetic application.—
Nicole Macias Garibay,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
-
In March 2016, Pharrell accepted an invite from professor Bob Power to sit in on a senior seminar at NYU’s Clive Davis Institute.—
SPIN Staff,
SPIN,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Sessions take place wherever a client's life already happens, with active referral partnerships spanning nonprofits, schools, social service agencies, clinics, and insurance providers.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
-
My own alcohol misuse led to two emergency room visits, and eventually, to founding a virtual care clinic for alcohol use disorder.—
Jonathan Hunt-Glassman,
Fortune,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Even the more politically active class of nonprofits — 501(c)(4) groups, like the relatively new American Hunters and Anglers — can’t make political activity its primary activity.—
Natalie Krebs,
Outdoor Life,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Tune into yourself while tuning out the outside world courtesy of an E-bike ride under the Tuscan sun, a stroll through the olive groves, a dip in the infinity pool, a meditative massage, or a private cooking class using ingredients sourced from the property.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Elective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elective. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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