Synonym Chooser

How does the noun selection contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of selection are alternative, choice, election, option, and preference. While all these words mean "the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen," selection implies a range of choice.

a varied selection of furniture

When is it sensible to use alternative instead of selection?

While the synonyms alternative and selection are close in meaning, alternative implies a need to choose one and reject another possibility.

equally attractive alternatives

When is choice a more appropriate choice than selection?

The synonyms choice and selection are sometimes interchangeable, but choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely.

freedom of choice

When would election be a good substitute for selection?

The words election and selection can be used in similar contexts, but election implies an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment.

doing a tax return forces certain elections on you

In what contexts can option take the place of selection?

The words option and selection are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, option implies a power to choose that is specifically granted or guaranteed.

the option of paying now or later

When can preference be used instead of selection?

In some situations, the words preference and selection are roughly equivalent. However, preference suggests a choice guided by one's judgment or predilections.

a preference for cool weather

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of selection The dark wood trolley with a large glass dome holds a selection of nostalgic sweet treats reimagined by chef de cuisine Mathew Sherry, such as sea buckthorn meringue tarts, tablet and Macallan whisky chocolates to enjoy with a final digestif or boxed to take home. Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025 As for who stood out throughout the week, McCabe highlighted the Panthers’ top selection from the draft: Mads Kongsbak Klyvo, the Danish winger taken No. 112. Cameron Priester, Sun Sentinel, 4 July 2025 On its peninsula in Lake Erie, Cedar Point boasts a larger selection of roller coasters and thrill rides, while Kings Island offers more family rides. Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 3 July 2025 As complexity scales, agents can run into tool selection errors or apply context in ways that stop making sense. Kevin Novak, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for selection
Recent Examples of Synonyms for selection
Noun
  • Restaurants and Bars Dining on Westerdam is all about choice.
    Susan B. Barnes, Travel + Leisure, 1 July 2025
  • His sons’ career choices mirrored their father’s: Louis, the oldest, named after his dad, went into the Navy.
    Belinda Luscombe, Time, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • That was the case last summer, too, but the Pacers new outlook actually makes a development bet make more sense now.
    Tony East, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
  • So, those wanting to hedge their bets and increase their chances of landing a blue-collar job may wish to look at general maintenance and repair jobs.
    Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 9 July 2025
Noun
  • Miami's Kyle Stowers could be an option, too, but the asking price for Benintendi (who has a .744 OPS for the year) would be much lower.
    Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025
  • Spectrum and Xfinity offer a range of options for internet speeds.
    Kara McGinley, USA Today, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • This drone, outfitted with an arm, is to be deployed for rock sampling at locations greater than 300 feet (over 100 meters) from the lander.
    Leonard David, Space.com, 29 June 2025
  • Delray Beach was also seeking compensation for the costs and expenses related to the past, present and future investigation, sampling, testing and assessment of the extent of PFAS contamination along with PFAS removal.
    Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2025
Noun
  • Trump alleged the poll amounted to election interference and a violation of the Iowa Consumer Fraud Act.
    Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • New data from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission found that the 2020 presidential election remains a high-water mark for vote by mail usage in a nationwide election.
    Ashley Lopez, NPR, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • Its assignment is to handle both a Mars Sample Return mission to return core samples of Mars to Earth, as well as future human Mars missions.
    Leonard David, Space.com, 29 June 2025
  • After it is analyzed for isotopes, the blood sample will give her an even more recent snapshot of what the bird has been eating.
    Madeline Bodin, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Selection.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/selection. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on selection

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