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
That means bringing the humanities back—not as electives, but as core career infrastructure. Nirit Cohen, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025 Texas also offers a personal financial literacy elective. Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 May 2025
Noun
Risks and recovery Any elective or non-elective surgery carries some degree of risk, experts agree. Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 21 June 2025 The district is proposing an ethnic studies elective course to offer this fall that at this point is not required for graduation. Marsha Sutton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for elective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elective
Adjective
  • Once in the main lounge, La Première customers can now book optional suites with a butler, a spacious living room, a bedroom with a double bed, a bathroom, and even an outdoor patio.
    Michele Robson, Fortune, 5 July 2025
  • Inside, a breathable mesh pocket adds room for silverware, snacks, or an optional ice pack, and the gingham print makes lunch feel like a picnic.
    Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 July 2025
Noun
  • While 2025 may not be its heyday, the humble four-door non-SUV—known as the sedan, for those who need a refresher—is thankfully still present on America’s new car lots.
    Peter Nelson, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
  • The cooling effect lasts for three hours before the beads need a 15-minute refresher.
    Clint Davis, People.com, 4 July 2025
Noun
  • That might mean building more recovery time into high-pressure roles, offering better internal mobility options, or training managers in better communication techniques.
    Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Spectrum and Xfinity offer a range of options for internet speeds.
    Kara McGinley, USA Today, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • Such findings have almost always been resolved through voluntary resolutions between schools and the federal government.
    Jim Edwards, Fortune, 1 July 2025
  • To that end, the feds can often compel witnesses to talk and share evidence (in contrast, the NBA relies on the voluntary cooperation of people outside the league).
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 June 2025
Noun
  • All this is happening, of course, as global temperatures continue to rise.
    Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker, 7 July 2025
  • This neighborhood is where generations of Houston’s LGBTQ+ community have lived, organized, thrived and, of course, partied.
    Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 7 July 2025
Noun
  • It will be used in all of the university’s first-year seminars and will be accompanied by panel discussions, workshops and additional engagement opportunities throughout the year.
    Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Any Connecticut organization, business, non-profit or municipality, interested in hosting a Narcan seminar, can give us a call.
    Raj Dodani, Hartford Courant, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • The Senate Parliamentarian upheld a provision in the bill prohibiting Medicaid funds from being used to reimburse health clinics that also provide elective abortions, saying that the measure was compliant with the Byrd Rule, which restricts what can be included in a budget reconciliation bill.
    Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 1 July 2025
  • Between April 2021 and July 2023, prosecutors say that Ali struck agreements with at least 41 substance abuse clinics in Arizona, including two identified in court papers as TUSA and CHWC.
    Ryan Lucas, NPR, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • Graduates are invited back for ongoing group classes, continuing their aquatic journey from floating and diving to building advanced swimming skills.
    Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 11 July 2025
  • The Net Rating model views Minnesota and Utah as being a tier beneath those three wild-card striver class teams.
    Thomas Drance, New York Times, 11 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Elective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elective. Accessed 15 Jul. 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!