as in voluntary
subject to one's freedom of choice
at the resort all recreational activities are optional, and you may choose to participate in none of them
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of optional
Front-wheel drive is standard, all-wheel drive is optional.
—
James Raia, Mercury News, 18 May 2026
Its light-amplification system has also been expanded to include optional thermal imaging and optical overlays.
—David Szondy
may 17, New Atlas, 17 May 2026
Sparkling water cost $3 and the optional viewing glasses for the show were $3.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 16 May 2026
The council also outlined optional surcharges—subject to separate approval—for excess use, starting at $4 per 1,000 gallons above allocations and $8 above baselines.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for optional
James Raia, Mercury News, 18 May 2026
Its light-amplification system has also been expanded to include optional thermal imaging and optical overlays.
—David Szondy
may 17, New Atlas, 17 May 2026
Sparkling water cost $3 and the optional viewing glasses for the show were $3.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 16 May 2026
The council also outlined optional surcharges—subject to separate approval—for excess use, starting at $4 per 1,000 gallons above allocations and $8 above baselines.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for optional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for optional
Adjective
-
Housing First programs provide immediate, low-barrier housing with voluntary services.—
Shianne LeClaire,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
-
In the letter to Yale, Dhillon alleged the New Haven, Connecticut, school was violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibiting discrimination and said the DOJ is seeking to enter into a voluntary resolution agreement with the university.—
Dave Collins,
Fortune,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
Ramos’ bill would move the holiday celebrating the state’s First People from that list of elective holidays to the list of 11 days that all state employees get off, which includes July Fourth, Thanksgiving and Christmas.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
19 May 2026
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The report goes on to say separate academies for immigrant and refugee students can deny them access to rigorous coursework and diverse elective options, and can hinder their academic process and social integration.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
The report found lower- and middle-income consumers were increasingly pulling back on discretionary spending categories like dining and entertainment, while wealthier households — boosted by strong stock market gains and rising home equity values — continue to spend at a healthy pace.—
Allie Canal,
NBC news,
19 May 2026
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It’s been struggling with tariffs, consumer pullback from discretionary spending and mounting competition from brands like Vuori and Alo.—
Jordan Valinsky,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Optional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/optional. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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