SELECTION Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

selection

noun

sə-ˈlek-shən

Definition of selection

as in choice

the act or process of selecting his selection of a running mate was a long, tedious affair

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in bet

a person or thing that is chosen our selection was the third entrant in the dog show

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in option

the power, right, or opportunity to choose the inn's table d'hôte is excellent, but there's very limited selection

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in sampling

a number of things selected from a group to stand for the whole a selection of the company's latest line of products for display at the trade show

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Côté Sud An airy concept shop in Comporta village with a particularly vast selection of floaty caftans. — Mattie Kahn, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026 Designed to showcase local businesses and artisans, the festival will feature a diverse vendor market with a wide selection of handcrafted and specialty products, the release said. — Pioneer Press, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026 Lindsay’s trial begins Lindsay’s trial began on July 20, with jury selection at Plymouth County Superior Court in Plymouth, Mass. — Emma Banks, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026 The Colts got Van Pran-Granger and a 2027 seventh-round pick from Buffalo for a 2027 sixth-round selection. — ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for selection

Recent Examples of Synonyms for selection

Noun

The Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan, known as Eiren, announced the choice Wednesday.

— Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
Then again, the Fantasy 5 evening draw — 9, 11, 20, 32, 35 — also turned out to be a popular choice.

— David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of choice

Noun

The bet is that the interesting content will entice fans around the world and grow the series’ audience as the debut of its second season draws near.

— Brian Steinberg, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
And for all the Padres’ successes under private equity wizard Peter Seidler, his biggest bet went bust, the ‘23 Padres missing the playoffs despite his approving MLB’s third-highest payroll.

— Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of bet

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

Noun

The space will be anchored by a center table, designed to bring brands to life through interactive storytelling and sampling, starting with Lake & Skye’s premium fragrances.

— Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026
According to poll samplings by the Sentinel Star during Tuesday’s voting, McCollum appeared to benefit from the strong showing by Reagan.

— Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of sampling

Noun

Costs for consumers in the Affordable Care Act marketplace have soared amid expiring ACA premium subsidies, and insurance affordability poses a political threat to Republicans during upcoming midterm elections.

— Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Democrats pushed for El-Sayed to more directly condemn Piker and his comments, though El-Sayed framed the whole episode as a nonissue in the election.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of election

Noun

On their 30th anniversary in business the couple spoke with The Bee about their start in Sacramento and how Marlene Goetzeler would offer free samples to people waiting in their cars for the freight train to pass at the nearby crossing.

— Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 26 Aug. 2026
The four samples contained mixtures of reactive dyes rather than the single dyes frequently examined in previous stripping research.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of sample

Browse Nearby Words

selecting

selection

selections

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

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Synonyms of selection

noun

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