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
1
as in alternate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in nontraditional
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of alternative
Jessica Kasparian, SELF, 18 Apr. 2025
Kojic acid Generally derived from certain types of fungi, kojic acid is an alternative to hydroquinone that Dr. Spearman says patients with eczema tend to tolerate better.
—Sierra Leone Starks, Allure, 18 Apr. 2025
Matthew Wosnitzer, Verywell Health, 18 Apr. 2025
Other policies reduce racial disparities in the criminal justice system – such as alternative 911 response programs that use unarmed behavioral health workers to respond to some types of emergencies.
—Christopher S. Warshaw, The Conversation, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alternative
Noun
Its hero ingredient is bakuchiol, a gentler alternative to retinol that can improve your skin’s texture and tone.
—Jessica Kasparian, SELF, 18 Apr. 2025
Kojic acid Generally derived from certain types of fungi, kojic acid is an alternative to hydroquinone that Dr. Spearman says patients with eczema tend to tolerate better.
—Sierra Leone Starks, Allure, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Prostate cancer cells develop alternative growth methods even with very low androgens levels.
—Matthew Wosnitzer, Verywell Health, 18 Apr. 2025
Other policies reduce racial disparities in the criminal justice system – such as alternative 911 response programs that use unarmed behavioral health workers to respond to some types of emergencies.
—Christopher S. Warshaw, The Conversation, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alternative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alternative
Noun
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In practice, however, Americans who don’t have retirement savings options at work aren’t likely to take the initiative on their own.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
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There is also concern that not all borrowers know their rights or the options available to help them.—
Shahar Ziv,
Forbes.com,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Rogers is 6-4, 312 pounds and was a captain in his final season with the Red Raiders while making alternate starts at right tackle, right guard and left guard.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2025
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If devices are requested at odd times or to alternate addresses, investigate further.—
Alonzo Martinez,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Golden lived with his mother and grandmother growing up and occasionally lived in hotels and other nontraditional housing.—
Matt Schneidman,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2025
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As solid color gowns continue to go mainstream, colorful florals, whether printed or embellished, are destined to be the next frontier for nontraditional brides looking to stand out.—
Emily Mercer,
Footwear News,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Chris Perkins' final NFL mock draft: Dolphins make the obvious choice . . .—
Rafael Olmeda,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Apr. 2025
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Tax incentives, easier permitting and construction grants are accelerating growth, making modular structures a solid choice for infrastructure needs.—
Ascend Agency,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Meanwhile, WhatsApp assured users via BBC News that its suddenly ever-present blue circle is optional, despite being unremovable.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
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While some players believe that overworlds are tedious and archaic game designs that only add unnecessary filler in between traveling to different destinations, Expedition 33 avoids this problem by placing optional dungeons on the overworld.—
George Yang,
Rolling Stone,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The mill embraces the beauty of imperfection and asymmetry in Chaos Aesthetics, a trend concept that favors expressive textures, unconventional finishes and rich tactile experiences.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
17 Apr. 2025
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The generational gap in honesty found in the survey comes amid a broader trend of unconventional job-search behaviors among younger candidates, including ghosting employers and abandoning the hiring process midway.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Individuals who need help controlling discretionary spending.—
Andrew Rosen,
Forbes.com,
17 Apr. 2025
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Many businesses and consumers will cut discretionary spending during hard times, so position yourself accordingly. 6.—
Sam Dogen, Contributor,
CNBC,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The new north end zone stand won’t be finished for the 2025 football season, but the entire structure, including almost all the concrete work and any underground work, is expected to be completed by the start of the new season.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
18 Apr. 2025
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This week, Lawrence Burney steps in to talk about how a part of Baltimore lingo is entering the wider underground rap lexicon through artists from the Mid-Atlantic.—
Lawrence Burney,
Pitchfork,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Alternative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternative. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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