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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Recent Examples of optional
There’s also an optional odor-neutralizing cartridge, which really just masks bad smells but not in an unpleasant way (the scent reminds me of Downy’s laundry scent booster).
—
Emily Farris, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 May 2025
However, at least five projects have been approved under the city’s local ordinance that requires 10% affordable units and an optional 5% workforce housing units.
—Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 1 May 2025
Proceeds benefit local charities through The Woman’s Club of Casselberry. 2 p.m. the second and fourth Sunday of the month, The Woman’s Club of Casselberry, 251 Overbrook Drive, Casselberry, $5 for 10 games plus two optional bonus games, 407-947-2747.
—Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2025
If the promoter’s caution has not occurred and a natural caution flag comes after lap 200, there won’t be this optional caution.
—Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for optional
Emily Farris, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 May 2025
However, at least five projects have been approved under the city’s local ordinance that requires 10% affordable units and an optional 5% workforce housing units.
—Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 1 May 2025
Proceeds benefit local charities through The Woman’s Club of Casselberry. 2 p.m. the second and fourth Sunday of the month, The Woman’s Club of Casselberry, 251 Overbrook Drive, Casselberry, $5 for 10 games plus two optional bonus games, 407-947-2747.
—Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2025
If the promoter’s caution has not occurred and a natural caution flag comes after lap 200, there won’t be this optional caution.
—Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for optional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for optional
Adjective
-
At least 2,000 of the agency's roughly 6,100 full-time employees have either left or plan to leave under the waves of terminations and voluntary retirements ordered by Elon Musk’s Department of Governmental Efficiency, Coen told USA TODAY.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
2 May 2025
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Velazquez, 24, signed a plea deal in March for voluntary manslaughter and a gun enhancement.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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The Torment system is a fully elective system that adds four new tiers of difficulty to the previously existing four.—
Alan Bradley,
ArsTechnica,
17 Apr. 2025
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Coleman, 50, ousted an incumbent City Council member two years ago to start his career in elective office.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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President Trump's budget proposal would cut 22% of non-defense discretionary spending next year while significantly increasing defense spending, according to a senior official with the Office of Management and Budget and information provided by the White House.—
Kathryn Watson,
CBS News,
2 May 2025
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Trump, Biden allies divided over GDP report One crisis away from homelessness While discretionary spending is somewhat determined by priorities, income is the key factor when calculating what and where to spend.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
2 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Optional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/optional. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
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