ELECTIVELY Synonyms: 22 Similar and Opposite Words

electively

adverb

as in either

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 electively The majority of women who freeze their eggs electively are White and well-resourced. — Lesley Stahl, CBS News, 31 May 2026 Where Your Insurance Likely Stands For most women freezing eggs electively, insurance won’t cover the procedure. — Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2026 Pfizer and AstraZeneca recently agreed to lower the cost of prescription drugs for Medicaid after an executive order in May set a deadline for drugmakers to electively lower prices or face new limits on what the government will pay. — Staff, Twin Cities, 6 Nov. 2025 Both agreements, however, build on an executive order Trump signed in May that set a deadline for drugmakers to electively lower prices or face new limits on what the government will pay. — Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2025 The agreement by Pfizfer builds on an executive order Trump signed in May setting a deadline for drugmakers to electively lower prices or face new limits on what the government will pay. — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for electively

Adverb

Curtis hasn’t really come close to reaching his potential as a character either.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2026
Chris Wood and Tyler Bindon only collected a single point with New Zealand, while Angus Gunn could not help Scotland get beyond the group stage either.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 24 July 2026

Definition of either

Adverb

In an example video, Google demonstrates how the user can speak long, complex instructions, optionally referring to files on the local computer, and have Gemini synthesize a response directly into a document or email.

— Paul Monckton, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
This partnership is set to provide a means of churning out large numbers of autonomous or optionally crewed ships in American shipyards.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 26 July 2026

Definition of optionally

Adverb

But, instead, the agency is going after people exercising their constitutional rights to criticize a public agency, according to Shadix.

— David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026
The thick mats cover up the rocky streambed where invertebrates like mayfly nymphs like to live, and instead creates habitats for smaller insects, chironomids and worms.

— Hannah Smith July 25, Idaho Statesman, 25 July 2026

Definition of instead

Adverb

Carol is alternately enchanted and frustrated by her husband’s innocence and altruism, which led him to his not particularly remunerative career as an interpreter.

— Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 22 July 2026
Throughout the film, Elle and Tao alternately bicker and give each other the silent treatment over Elle’s plans to go to Berlin after graduation to pursue a career as an artist.

— Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026

Definition of alternately

Adverb

Cecchi recommends visiting from April to June or alternatively in September or October, when the weather is pleasant and the city feels slightly less crowded.

— Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
For individuals whose symptoms persist despite medication, surgery may alternatively offer significant relief.

— Daryl Austin, USA Today, 7 July 2026

Definition of alternatively

Browse Nearby Words

elective

electively

electives

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Electively.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/electively. Accessed 30 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of electively

adverb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

sultry

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes