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

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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
In 8th grade, students must add learning goals based on academic and career interests as well as courses, electives, and extracurricular opportunities to their plans which follow them through high school. Jean Eddy, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025 Students can tailor their studies with electives in deep learning, natural language processing, data mining, generative AI, and intelligent robotics. Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 10 May 2025
Noun
The family of a Connecticut man who bled to death following elective surgery has been awarded $20 million by a jury, according to attorney and partner Kelly Fitzpatrick, of Koskoff Koskoff & Bieder. Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 11 July 2025 Because cosmetic surgery is elective, insurance doesn’t cover it. Fred Schulte, Miami Herald, 29 July 2025 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.
    Matthew Strauss, Pitchfork, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Traditionally, the sandwiches are served on light, airy baguettes packed with meat, pickled veggies like carrots and cucumber, jalapeños, cilantro and optional pâté.
    Sunny Hubler, Charlotte Observer, 22 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • As a brief refresher, in the Season 4 finale, a new dead victim was revealed: doorman Lester Coluca (Teddy Coluca), a character that had been part of the story since day one.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2025
  • The drink is enjoyable as a late night treat, but also as a refresher in the hot autumn heat.
    Logan Holland, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Residents can choose from fiber, cable, 5G wireless and satellite options.
    Kara McGinley, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025
  • Fair Park Dog Park, 300 Raines Avenue Fair Park Dog Park offers guests two options, a .60-acre artificial turf surface for large dogs and a .26-acre artificial turf park for small dogs.
    Craig Shoup, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • County executives who leave office voluntary, choose their immediate successors, according to the charter.
    Ilana Arougheti Updated August 20, Kansas City Star, 20 Aug. 2025
  • As of July 2025, that number surged to 451 voluntary participants — a staggering increase of over 3,500% that underscores the growing need for safeguards in the digital gambling era.
    Ethan Hylton, IndyStar, 20 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Ahlen pointed out, this is, of course, the way science works.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 24 Aug. 2025
  • The jackpot has climbed above $1 billion multiple times over the course of the lottery’s history, most recently in 2024 when an Oregon cancer patient won a massive $1.3 billion jackpot.
    Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Pressed for time, Elliott handed over his introductory seminar to his teaching assistant: a young Kissinger, whose reverence for Germanic philosophers Brzezinski found off-putting.
    Niall Ferguson, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2025
  • The seminar, which is held annually for judges interested in this conservative legal theory, was hosted by the Georgetown Center for the Constitution.
    Daniel Bice, jsonline.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Conrad admitted to his brother and father that he’d been fired from his summer job at the clinic and is staying at Cousin’s before returning to Stanford in the fall.
    Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
  • Love added that nurses are needed not just in hospitals, but in nursing homes, clinics and schools as well.
    Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • In addition to nutrition education classes, SNAP-Ed programming includes food access directories, social media campaigns and advocacy work.
    Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025
  • The tax holiday is meant to align with back-to-school season, as parents prep their kids to return to class.
    Eleanor Dearman Updated August 15, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Elective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elective. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.

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