as in voluntary
subject to one's freedom of choice
at the resort all recreational activities are optional, and you may choose to participate in none of them
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of optional
That small signal is sent into a simple circuit containing a single TIP31C transistor and an optional LED indicator.
—
Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 15 Feb. 2026
Our Constitution is not optional, and my campaign is about restoring trust, fairness, and justice for the people of HD-98.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
And Elon Musk, cofounder of xAI, predicted AI will create so much wealth that working will be optional in the not-too-distant future.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 14 Feb. 2026
The tools for writing are cheap and omnipresent; an audience is waiting; the room is optional.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for optional
Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 15 Feb. 2026
Our Constitution is not optional, and my campaign is about restoring trust, fairness, and justice for the people of HD-98.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
And Elon Musk, cofounder of xAI, predicted AI will create so much wealth that working will be optional in the not-too-distant future.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 14 Feb. 2026
The tools for writing are cheap and omnipresent; an audience is waiting; the room is optional.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for optional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for optional
Adjective
-
These funds support a voluntary return-home program in which returners receive a stipend for up to seven years.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
-
In fact, Lifetouch was the first school photography company to sign a voluntary and enforceable privacy pledge—reaffirming our deep commitment to protecting school communities.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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All of these actions should automatically disqualify him from ever holding elective office again.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
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Many Americans report frustration with the two-party system, in which the Democratic and Republican candidates are seen as the only viable options for elective office.—
Charlie Hunt,
Washington Post,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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While stock-market gains may be boosting spending among wealthier households, there are signs discretionary spending is less robust for lower-income Americans relying primarily on more moderate wage growth.—
Bloomberg Wire,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
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In a region where water is neither abundant nor easily replaced, reducing discretionary outdoor use is one of the most effective ways to ensure Aurora can support growth through full buildout as water rights become more costly and scarce.—
Mike Coffman,
Denver Post,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Optional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/optional. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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