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 If the election had gone the other way, a majority of Latin Americans would be living under authoritarian rule. —The New Yorker, New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2025 Republicans made inroads in Illinois in the 2024 presidential election, but any GOP candidate would start as a long shot. —Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 23 Apr. 2025 Canada’s national election is a test case, and the outcome will speak volumes. Follow me on Twitter. —Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025 The Trevor Project’s crisis lines experienced a nearly 700% increase in calls, texts, and chats on November 6 following the 2024 presidential election. —Abby Monteil, Them., 23 Apr. 2025 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
  • Ellie rides up the exact same trail, sees the exact same thing, and makes a choice to go look for Joel.
    — Katcy Stephan, Variety, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Chris Perkins' final NFL mock draft: Dolphins make the obvious choice . . .
    — Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2025
Definition of choice
Noun
  • 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
  • European countries, Japan, and other major allies of the United States, along with potential new coalition partners, have several options.
    — Ngaire Woods, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Definition of option
Noun
  • Powell even listed the gig in nomination papers for the Fed chairmanship.
    — Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The scandal came as Jacques Audiard’s drug cartel musical was the frontrunner for best picture, earning a top 13 nominations and eventually taking home two statues.
    — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of nomination
Noun
  • But after more than 40,000 additional mail-in ballots yet to be counted were tallied and announced Friday, Lee went ahead of Taylor by about 5 points, or nearly 5,000 votes.
    — Jared Gans, The Hill, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Three weeks later, though, an August vote appears increasingly unlikely.
    — Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of vote
Noun
  • In a letter to the Trump administration, Blumenthal sought an accounting of how many visas have been revoked, the reasons cited for each one, and whether students were afforded due process to contest the decision.
    — Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • This means the board will generally have a wide view from different sources of what the value of a deal should be worth and make a decision based on that.
    — Matt Slater, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of decision
Noun
  • Parents say private or homeschool is the only way to avoid conflict with religion After various teachers, administrators and parents raised concerns about the effectiveness and age-appropriateness of the books, the school system allowed students to be excused when they were read in class.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025
  • There are many ways world leaders, businesses and consumers are grappling with the growing threat of a global trade war, but perhaps the easiest — and, for some, the most therapeutic — is to rely on dark humor.
    — Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2025
Definition of way
Noun
  • Jury selection had already been completed and opening statements were about to begin March 3.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • The Browns have the No. 2 selection and could end up with Shedeur Sanders.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2025
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 1 May. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on election

Nglish: Translation of election for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about election

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Words You Always Have to Look Up

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular

See More

Words You Always Have to Look Up

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All