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
Energy, like rent or food, is not an optional cost that families can simply ease up on when times are tight.
—
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2026
Given the infrequent presence of B strains, the shot is optional but available to those who decide with a clinician that their child should get it, Schaffner says.
—Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 21 Mar. 2026
Sunglasses are optional, but highly recommended.
—India Roby, Glamour, 21 Mar. 2026
In a world increasingly shaped by AI, automation and accelerated capital, moral imagination is not optional.
—Stephanie Dillon, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for optional
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2026
Given the infrequent presence of B strains, the shot is optional but available to those who decide with a clinician that their child should get it, Schaffner says.
—Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 21 Mar. 2026
Sunglasses are optional, but highly recommended.
—India Roby, Glamour, 21 Mar. 2026
In a world increasingly shaped by AI, automation and accelerated capital, moral imagination is not optional.
—Stephanie Dillon, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for optional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for optional
Adjective
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Similar, disappointing results were found more recently in a 2022 Vanderbilt study of Tennessee’s voluntary pre-K program.—
Abby McCloskey,
Boston Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
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This leaves due diligence up to mostly voluntary investigation process, leaving environmental and human rights risks upstream insufficiently monitored.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Sourcing Journal,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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All statewide elective offices are up for grabs as well as 101 state House seats and 25 Senate seats.—
Barbara Hoberock,
Oklahoma Voice,
19 Mar. 2026
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McLendon-Covey was quick to shut down any feud speculation the morning after the ceremony, revealing that an elective cosmetic procedure kept her from attending.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Even a temporary pause on discretionary spending can free up cash to redirect toward existing balances.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
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The legislation provides $170 billion for ICE, more than double DHS's annual discretionary budget, allowing the agency to continue paying its officers during the shutdown.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Optional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/optional. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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