as in choosing
to come to a judgment about after discussion or consideration
after that near catastrophe, they opted to reinstate the telephone service
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 opting
Unlike in their losses in Games 5 and 6, the Celtics weren’t as quick to fire up 3s, instead opting to attack the interior of the 76ers defense more to get easier looks.
—
Kyle Hightower, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026
The Heat had a similar guarantee decision with Robinson last summer, opting to move off of Robinson’s salary.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 2 May 2026
Amid the first-round adversity, Brown did not make any changes to the Knicks’ starting lineup, opting to stick with the group that helped win 53 games in the regular season.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026
The Lions canceled their local pro day, opting to spend the time elsewhere.
—Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Some clubs have placed a priority on trying to generate revenue through those teams; other have spent limited time and money in that effort, opting instead to use the teams primarily as a development system.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 30 Apr. 2026
As of April 30, at least 70 senators and House members are not planning to seek reelection in the fall, opting either to retire or pursue another office, according to a tally by NPR.
—Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
While others sneak photos of Newsom, a cluster of New York Times reporters just feet away are opting to forgo watching the governor hold court —and are instead watching the Lakers do so.
—Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 25 Apr. 2026
But as the session continued, that goal shifted, with lawmakers opting to regulate facial recognition software use rather than ban it outright.
—P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 24 Apr. 2026
Kyle Hightower, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026
The Heat had a similar guarantee decision with Robinson last summer, opting to move off of Robinson’s salary.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 2 May 2026
Amid the first-round adversity, Brown did not make any changes to the Knicks’ starting lineup, opting to stick with the group that helped win 53 games in the regular season.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026
The Lions canceled their local pro day, opting to spend the time elsewhere.
—Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Some clubs have placed a priority on trying to generate revenue through those teams; other have spent limited time and money in that effort, opting instead to use the teams primarily as a development system.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 30 Apr. 2026
As of April 30, at least 70 senators and House members are not planning to seek reelection in the fall, opting either to retire or pursue another office, according to a tally by NPR.
—Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
While others sneak photos of Newsom, a cluster of New York Times reporters just feet away are opting to forgo watching the governor hold court —and are instead watching the Lakers do so.
—Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 25 Apr. 2026
But as the session continued, that goal shifted, with lawmakers opting to regulate facial recognition software use rather than ban it outright.
—P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 24 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opting
Verb
-
For Suggs, choosing basketball over football was an excruciating decision.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
By choosing sustainable options and participating in recycling programs, pilgrims can ensure that their journey of faith also respects the sanctity of the natural world.—
FMG Studios,
Footwear News,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Consult with two or three other legal representatives before deciding whom to use.—
Albinson Linares,
NBC news,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Brown, however, opted against inserting McBride into the starting lineup, instead deciding to stick with Bridges, who is averaging just seven points on 25% shooting from 3-point range this series.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Working with the Calling All Dreamers advisors, Christine Wonderson is figuring how to break the business down into more achievable chunks, rather than trying to do everything at once.—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Tanner Scott and Blake Treinen will need to step up, with Alex Vesia also figuring to factor into Roberts’ late-inning plans.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Opting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opting. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
