alternative 1 of 2

noun

Definition of alternativenext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

alternative

2 of 2

adjective

1
as in alternate

Related Words

Dissimilar Words
2
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
Monk Fruit Can Cause Digestive Issues Though monk fruit can be a healthier alternative to table sugar, certain additives commonly found in monk fruit may cause digestive issues. —Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 10 Feb. 2026 Advertisement Company pivot — So, faced with a scaling challenge, Tools for Humanity is now exploring alternatives to the Orb, its flagship product. —Billy Perrigo, Time, 10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Will alternative suppliers save me money? —John Shumway, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026 In December, Ohio State filed a motion in the case arguing against the plaintiffs’ right to subpoena Wexner by alternative service, which the court rejected. —Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 11 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for alternative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alternative
  1. option
  2. alternate
  3. nontraditional
  4. choice
  5. optional
  6. unconventional
  7. discretionary
  8. underground
Noun
  • For people who like to drink a glass or two of milk a day and may have cardiovascular concerns, lower-fat dairy may be a better option.
    — Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Then, as Musk has been prone to do, the former presidential adviser disregarded much of his previous explanation and said that building a civilization on Mars was still an option, just that building on the Moon is SpaceX’s current priority.
    — Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of option
Adjective
  • Tenants speaking to the town council Monday said JRK initially directed them to use their renter’s insurance to pay for alternate lodging; the company later agreed to pay those expenses after talking with town officials.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Those alternate itineraries also tend to be more expensive than those that sail through the Drake.
    — Nathan Diller, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of alternate
Adjective
  • Like Zilisch, van Gisbergen has taken a nontraditional path to the Cup series.
    — Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Because Adofo-Mensah’s nontraditional background faced significant resistance over his four seasons with the franchise, the Vikings are likely to seek someone with more experience as an evaluator and manager.
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Definition of nontraditional
Noun
  • Casado also seemed to enjoy himself, reminding fans of his breakout performances last year at times, but De Jong remains first-choice in that midfield role.
    — Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
  • The show is presented as a response to the official Apple Music Super Bowl halftime show headlined by Bad Bunny as the choice of the Puerto Rican mega-star drew backlash from conservatives.
    — James Powel, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of choice
Adjective
  • As frozen supply chains continue to expand, autonomous systems designed specifically for extreme environments may become essential rather than optional.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Using an agency, in fact, is entirely optional.
    — Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of optional
Adjective
  • Smith for some time has dangled the prospect of running as an unconventional candidate against a field of career politicians, but there’s a big gap between not ruling out a run and actually doing it.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Creative director Heginz Janvier transformed classic silhouettes such as trenchcoats and cargo pants into new offerings by creating them from technical fabrics and adding pockets in unconventional locations, such as above the ankles or on the waist.
    — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of unconventional
Adjective
  • While stock-market gains may be boosting spending among wealthier households, there are signs discretionary spending is less robust for lower-income Americans relying primarily on more moderate wage growth.
    — Bloomberg Wire, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
  • In a region where water is neither abundant nor easily replaced, reducing discretionary outdoor use is one of the most effective ways to ensure Aurora can support growth through full buildout as water rights become more costly and scarce.
    — Mike Coffman, Denver Post, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of discretionary
Adjective
  • These caverns under sidewalks could be used for storage, and circular pieces of thick glass in the sidewalk added natural light to these eerie underground chambers.
    — Jacques Kelly, Baltimore Sun, 7 Feb. 2026
  • The latter houses the cryogenically frozen employees of Vault-Tec, a corporation that made a lot of money out of underground bunkers before the Great War.
    — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 7 Feb. 2026
Definition of underground

Browse Nearby Words

alternating
alternative
alternatively
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Cite this Entry

“Alternative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternative. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on alternative

Nglish: Translation of alternative for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about alternative

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