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
Politicians treat immigration laws like optional guidelines.
—
Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
For an extra indulgent touch, top it with our optional-but-recommended cheesecake whipped cream to take this dessert to the next level.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Aug. 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, 21 Aug. 2025
Guests can choose between four pastas, seven sauces and three optional toppings for $5 extra.
—Staff Author, People.com, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for optional
Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
For an extra indulgent touch, top it with our optional-but-recommended cheesecake whipped cream to take this dessert to the next level.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Aug. 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, 21 Aug. 2025
Guests can choose between four pastas, seven sauces and three optional toppings for $5 extra.
—Staff Author, People.com, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for optional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for optional
Adjective
-
This has for decades been underpinned by voluntary pricing agreements — voluntary in the sense that non-voluntary terms would have been worse — between the industry and the NHS.—
Ian King,
CNBC,
3 Sep. 2025
-
On August 22, Blue Bell Creameries announced a voluntary recall of its 64-ounce Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream due to the presence of undeclared nuts, which pose a risk to individuals with nut allergies.—
Daniel Orton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Candidates running with the support of the Caucus for elective office often run unopposed in the municipal elections.—
Daniel I. Dorfman,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Aug. 2025
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But like others before and since, Cunningham succumbed to the trappings of elective office.—
Jeff Mcdonald,
Mercury News,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Enterprise software is no longer viewed as a discretionary cost but rather as an operational cornerstone for the digital economy.—
Arthur Mouratov,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
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As of Friday's close, 65% of the S & P 500 are above their 50 day moving average, while 75% of S & P financials are above their 50 day moving average, second highest in the S & P behind discretionary stocks at 78%.—
Josh Brown,Sean Russo,
CNBC,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Optional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/optional. Accessed 7 Sep. 2025.
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