as in alternatively
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Recent Examples of optionally
Built for autonomous and networked warfare One of the XM30’s defining features is its optionally manned capability.
—
Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 9 Apr. 2026
The exterior is finished in wood, and it can optionally be paired with a deck to extend living space.
—Adam Williams
march 26, New Atlas, 26 Mar. 2026
To view a live stream from either camera, tap the play arrow on its video panel (then optionally turn your phone sideways to enter full-screen mode).
—John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 18 Mar. 2026
Many Americans falsely conflate Sikh turbans, which are religious garments worn by men to protect their uncut hair and considered mandatory for everyday wear, with turbans worn by Muslims optionally and largely for cultural reasons.
—Susie Neilson, San Francisco Chronicle, 5 Mar. 2026
Holes can be cut in the fabric to insert garden plants, and optionally the fabric can be covered with mulch to hide it.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 15 Feb. 2026
This car showed up on Michelin Pilot Sport 4S summer tires, but super-sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R track tires are also optionally available.
—Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 27 Aug. 2025
Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 9 Apr. 2026
The exterior is finished in wood, and it can optionally be paired with a deck to extend living space.
—Adam Williams
march 26, New Atlas, 26 Mar. 2026
To view a live stream from either camera, tap the play arrow on its video panel (then optionally turn your phone sideways to enter full-screen mode).
—John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 18 Mar. 2026
Many Americans falsely conflate Sikh turbans, which are religious garments worn by men to protect their uncut hair and considered mandatory for everyday wear, with turbans worn by Muslims optionally and largely for cultural reasons.
—Susie Neilson, San Francisco Chronicle, 5 Mar. 2026
Holes can be cut in the fabric to insert garden plants, and optionally the fabric can be covered with mulch to hide it.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 15 Feb. 2026
This car showed up on Michelin Pilot Sport 4S summer tires, but super-sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R track tires are also optionally available.
—Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for optionally
Adverb
-
The president, alternatively, has faced falling approval ratings, with approval ratings for his handling of the economy falling to a new career low of 31% earlier this month, according to a CNN poll.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Vegetarian pies and white or whole-wheat crust are alternatively offered.—
Hannah Hudnall,
USA Today,
5 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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Rams boss Les Snead and Chiefs leadership tandem Andy Reid and Brett Veach don’t seem hindered by obstacles either, despite later draft slots and paying future Hall of Fame quarterbacks.—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Travel insurance won’t usually be much help, either.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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But the matchup instead provided a great example of how exciting a game can be when two teams featuring stars and athleticism around the diamond put together a great performance.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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In September 2025, the City Council voted to explore whether Los Angeles could withdraw all legally allowable homelessness funding from LAHSA and instead contract with the county’s new homelessness department.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Though Ridley Scott works in a drastically different tone than the one John Carpenter brought to Dark Star, the two films share screenwriter Dan O’Bannon’s darkly comedic view of a future that has reduced humans to alternately bored and terrified cogs in larger machines.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
23 Apr. 2026
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Iowa designer Scott Johnson alternately stacked two sizes of circular pavers to create a sculptural plant stand for a cheerful yellow container.—
Midwest Living,
Midwest Living,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Optionally.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/optionally. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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