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
This ranch is for serious horse lovers and is very focused on riding, so much so that pull-on cowboy boots are not optional.
—
Michelle Baran, AFAR Media, 5 June 2025
An optional step that Zabski favors is to put the pizza in the oven on low broil two minutes, checking every 30 seconds.
—Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 5 June 2025
Donna has shared the ingredients for the cookies, which include milk and white chocolate chips, brown and white sugar, sweet cream butter, cinnamon and optional pecans.
—Erin Clements, People.com, 5 June 2025
The matte finish is unadorned, except for the OnePlus logo in the middle and a three-prong magnetic connector for the optional Pad 3 Smart Keyboard ($199.99).
—PC Magazine, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for optional
Michelle Baran, AFAR Media, 5 June 2025
An optional step that Zabski favors is to put the pizza in the oven on low broil two minutes, checking every 30 seconds.
—Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 5 June 2025
Donna has shared the ingredients for the cookies, which include milk and white chocolate chips, brown and white sugar, sweet cream butter, cinnamon and optional pecans.
—Erin Clements, People.com, 5 June 2025
The matte finish is unadorned, except for the OnePlus logo in the middle and a three-prong magnetic connector for the optional Pad 3 Smart Keyboard ($199.99).
—PC Magazine, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for optional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for optional
Adjective
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McMahon announced roughly half the agency's workforce would be eliminated through a combination of mass layoffs and voluntary buyouts.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
7 June 2025
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Jennifer Kellogg, who stayed with the couple the week of the killing, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to 17 years in prison, according to Antelope Valley Press.—
Emily Blackwood,
People.com,
7 June 2025
Adjective
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Per the outlets, Ryan had taken some time off in August in order to have the elective eye procedure and expected to be back in uniform a few days later.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
People.com,
21 May 2025
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Kettering Health, which employs more than 1,800 doctors, said the cyberattack had disrupted its call center and caused the cancellation of elective inpatient and outpatient procedures.—
Jade Walker,
CNN Money,
21 May 2025
Adjective
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For shareholders, of note will be the potential impact on discretionary funds available for distribution, including dividends, share buybacks and bonus payments.—
Ruxandra Iordache,April Roach,
CNBC,
6 June 2025
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That sentiment may be particularly true for discretionary categories, including fashion and apparel.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Optional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/optional. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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