ALTERNATIVE Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'alternative' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of alternative are choice , election , option , preference , and selection . While all these words mean "the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen," alternative implies a need to choose one and reject another possibility. // equally attractive alternatives

Q: When can 'choice' be used instead of 'alternative'?

The words choice and alternative are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely. // freedom of choice

Q: In what contexts can 'election' take the place of 'alternative'?

The synonyms election and alternative are sometimes interchangeable, but election implies an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment. // doing a tax return forces certain elections on you

Q: When is 'option' a more appropriate choice than 'alternative'?

The meanings of option and alternative largely overlap; however, option implies a power to choose that is specifically granted or guaranteed. // the option of paying now or later

Q: When would 'preference' be a good substitute for 'alternative'?

While in some cases nearly identical to alternative , preference suggests a choice guided by one's judgment or predilections. // a preference for cool weather

Q: Where would 'selection' be a reasonable alternative to 'alternative'?

The words selection and alternative can be used in similar contexts, but selection implies a range of choice. // a varied selection of furniture

alternative 1 of 2

noun

Definition of alternative

as in option

the power, right, or opportunity to choose there's no alternative: we must cross the stream to reach our destination

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

alternative

2 of 2

adjective

as in alternate

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

as in nontraditional

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun alternative contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of alternative are choice, election, option, preference, and selection. While all these words mean "the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen," alternative implies a need to choose one and reject another possibility.

equally attractive alternatives

When can choice be used instead of alternative?

The words choice and alternative are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely.

freedom of choice

In what contexts can election take the place of alternative?

The synonyms election and alternative are sometimes interchangeable, but election implies an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment.

doing a tax return forces certain elections on you

When is option a more appropriate choice than alternative?

The meanings of option and alternative largely overlap; however, option implies a power to choose that is specifically granted or guaranteed.

the option of paying now or later

When would preference be a good substitute for alternative?

While in some cases nearly identical to alternative, preference suggests a choice guided by one's judgment or predilections.

a preference for cool weather

Where would selection be a reasonable alternative to alternative?

The words selection and alternative can be used in similar contexts, but selection implies a range of choice.

a varied selection of furniture

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 alternative

Noun

Specifically in dress, rounder toes are trending; a refreshing alternative to the almond shape that has dominated for the past few seasons. — Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 31 Aug. 2026 At the height of the trend in the 2010s, gray walls, flooring, cabinets, and countertops were viewed as a white alternative that was easier to style and design with. — Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Aug. 2026

Adjective

The division commander then approved an alternative method, said the soldier, without saying what the method was. — Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026 The companies can even build offices in Vancouver or Toronto partly as an alternative pipeline for foreign talent. — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for alternative

Recent Examples of Synonyms for alternative

Noun

Because individual-stock premiums are currently richer, managers may also be able to meet their income targets by writing options against a smaller portion of the portfolio.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
When Chelsea try to shift the ball back across to the right, Brighton press man-to-man and force Fofana to the touchline, leaving him with little option other than to play a long ball into the channel in the direction of Neto.

— Jon Mackenzie, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of option

Adjective

The Labor Department’s unemployment rate has been declining in recent months, reversing last year’s uptick, but an alternate measure tells a different story.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
The quality of the animation is unparalleled, as is the care that went into creating its alternate version of 1940s Hollywood.

— James Grebey, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of alternate

Adjective

Somewhere in South Carolina, a child too young for a second dose of the measles vaccine contracted the virus from someone whose parents had decided, for reasons unrelated to medicine, that vaccination was optional.

— A.J. Russo, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026
Gay men with a penchant for clothing-optional environments will want to check it out; others should look elsewhere.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of optional

Adjective

Munetaka Murakami made the quick decision to step on the bag and then throw to the plate, where catcher Drew Romo tagged out Trevor Larnach for an unconventional inning-ending double play.

— LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
All the drama from last week’s showdown with the season-21 designers is resolved by season 22 winning the unconventional-materials challenge.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of unconventional

Adjective

Cramer said that upscale customer base should also make the company more resilient if inflation and higher energy prices weigh on discretionary spending.

— Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
Start with your seller’s discretionary earnings or EBITDA, depending on your business size, not your revenue line.

— Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of discretionary

Adjective

Deep underground salt behaves like a slow-moving plastic under the weight of the earth (salt creep).

— Siddharth Misra, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026
The Large Hadron Collider at CERN, the world’s largest and most powerful particle accelerator, was powered up in an underground tunnel near Geneva, Switzerland.

— USA Today, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of underground

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alternating

alternative

alternatively

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“Alternative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternative. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of alternative

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Synonyms of alternative

noun

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to alternative

The History of 'Alt-'

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on alternative

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

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Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

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