as in choosing
to come to a judgment about after discussion or consideration
after that near catastrophe, they opted to reinstate the telephone service
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of opting
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
At the gala, Shepherd will celebrate the Gulf, but with a little bit of a curveball, opting to show off the great beef raised in the region instead of the seafood its known for.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 24 Apr. 2026
The writers guild has been laser-focused on this deal since March, opting to square that away before western division executives presumably turn their attention back to the WGA West’s striking staff.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 24 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
Rather than opting for the fine dining Lau is famed for, here the menu is more casual, focusing on the comforting flavors of Southwest China and Yunnan.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
The Fed is also concerned about companies opting to scale back on hiring to offset these rising costs, potentially jeopardizing the labor market.
—Arkansas Online, 11 Apr. 2026
Some are opting simply to not reenlist or to retire early.
—Tom Bowman, NPR, 10 Apr. 2026
Instead, people are opting for more meaningful, high-impact pieces made from this precious metal.
—Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 10 Apr. 2026
Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 25 Apr. 2026
At the gala, Shepherd will celebrate the Gulf, but with a little bit of a curveball, opting to show off the great beef raised in the region instead of the seafood its known for.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 24 Apr. 2026
The writers guild has been laser-focused on this deal since March, opting to square that away before western division executives presumably turn their attention back to the WGA West’s striking staff.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 24 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
Rather than opting for the fine dining Lau is famed for, here the menu is more casual, focusing on the comforting flavors of Southwest China and Yunnan.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
The Fed is also concerned about companies opting to scale back on hiring to offset these rising costs, potentially jeopardizing the labor market.
—Arkansas Online, 11 Apr. 2026
Some are opting simply to not reenlist or to retire early.
—Tom Bowman, NPR, 10 Apr. 2026
Instead, people are opting for more meaningful, high-impact pieces made from this precious metal.
—Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 10 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opting
Verb
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Local water is also more reliable, even though predicting rain in the Mediterranean climate of Southern California is about as easy as choosing a winning Super Lotto number.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
24 Apr. 2026
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The Dolphins doubled down on Red Raiders prospects after, earlier Friday, choosing Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez with their lone second-round pick.—
David Furones,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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If something feels off, pause, step away, and check the details before deciding.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
-
In 2025, Canada canceled its popular annual showcase, after deciding that hostile policies made the risks not worth the rewards.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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And with a compressed preseason window and key contributors still overseas, the margin for figuring things out isn’t wide.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 2026
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Without a basic plan, groups tend to stop abruptly, block walkways, or create congestion while figuring things out.—
Jacqueline Dole,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Opting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opting. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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