election

noun

i-ˈlek-shən How to pronounce election (audio)
Definition of electionnext
1
as in choice
the act or process of selecting the election of a major is something that every college student has to do at some point

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in option
the power, right, or opportunity to choose at the country inn, breakfast in bed is entirely at the election of the guest

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun election contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of election are alternative, choice, option, preference, and selection. While all these words mean "the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen," election implies an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment.

doing a tax return forces certain elections on you

When is it sensible to use alternative instead of election?

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

equally attractive alternatives

When might choice be a better fit than election?

While in some cases nearly identical to election, choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely.

freedom of choice

When would option be a good substitute for election?

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

the option of paying now or later

When is preference a more appropriate choice than election?

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

a preference for cool weather

When could selection be used to replace election?

The words selection and election 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 election Laporta’s last two actions as president before the election process were to renew Fermin’s contract until 2031 and abandon the European Super League project. —Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026 The Secretary of State’s Office, which oversees elections in South Dakota, requested the bill. —Meghan O’Brien, States Newsroom, 29 Jan. 2026 In the last election, two-thirds of Mecklenburg’s voters chose Kamala Harris; just a mile up the road, in Iredell County, two-thirds of voters went for Donald Trump. —Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026 With two bills passed into law in Raleigh, whoever is sheriff after the election will have to hold some detainees for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. —Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 29 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for election
Recent Examples of Synonyms for election
  1. choice
  2. option
  3. nomination
  4. vote
  5. decision
  6. way
  7. selection
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
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
Noun
  • Advertisement Across the aisle, the prospect of Paxton winning the GOP nomination has galvanized Democrats—who face a head-vs-heart choice between two rising liberal stars.
    — Philip Elliott, Time, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Folks who drafted Andrivka were no doubt disappointed when the film failed to pick up an Oscar nomination, so these 30 points will be something of a balm.
    — Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of nomination
Noun
  • The Senate already voted to stop tariffs on Canada and Brazil, and tariff critics are rooting for the House to quit blocking those proposals from getting a vote.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Per California law, the top two vote-getters advance to the general election, regardless of party.
    — Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of vote
Noun
  • Concerned about safety risks and environmental damage, the Blue Mountains City Council temporarily closed access to the rock last month while officials work on a long-term plan — a decision that has prompted debate among residents, conservationists and local businesses that depend on tourism.
    — Trista Kurniawan, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
  • In a 2014 editorial, the Times argued the federal ban on the drug should be repealed, and the decision should be left up to the individual states.
    — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of decision
Noun
  • Why Madagascar hissing cockroaches are actually romantic Naming a roach for Valentine’s Day is a great gag, but also these critters are capable of hissing their way into your heart.
    — Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2026
  • But the way the investigation is being carried out is leaving people with some doubts.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of way
Noun
  • Included in their selection, though, is bottled Pilsner, white wine, prosecco, Weinschorle (a German wine spritzer), the odd and intense combination of prosecco and Red Bull, and of course, your standard house/well cocktails.
    — Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
  • The festival opened with Afghan director Shahrbanoo Sadat’s No Good Men, following a female camerawoman navigating life and work in Kabul — a selection with an unmistakable geopolitical echo.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of selection

Browse Nearby Words

electing
election
elections
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Election.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/election. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on election

Nglish: Translation of election for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about election

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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