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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Neither do Elin Hilderbrand and Jodi Picoult; beach reads aren’t necessarily chick lit, either.—
Hillary Busis,
Vanity Fair,
4 May 2026
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And East and West Florida, though they would be absorbed later, didn’t join the rebellion, either.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Adverb
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Unlike in their losses in Games 5 and 6, the Celtics weren’t as quick to fire up 3s, instead opting to attack the interior of the 76ers defense more to get easier looks.—
Kyle Hightower,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
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Duffy instead blamed the Biden Administration and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg for Spirit’s closure after the Justice Department sued to block a 2023 potential merger between it and larger competitor JetBlue.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
2 May 2026
Adverb
-
Participants alternately clenched their toes (rock), spread them apart (paper) and crossed the big toe over the others (scissors).—
Lindsey Leake,
NBC news,
29 Apr. 2026
-
And work, as this alternately breezy and quite pessimistic crowdpleaser is quick to remind us, isn’t to be taken for granted.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Optionally.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/optionally. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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