selection

noun

sə-ˈlek-shən How to pronounce selection (audio)
Definition of selectionnext
1
as in choice
the act or process of selecting his selection of a running mate was a long, tedious affair

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in bet
a person or thing that is chosen our selection was the third entrant in the dog show

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in option
the power, right, or opportunity to choose the inn's table d'hôte is excellent, but there's very limited selection

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in sampling
a number of things selected from a group to stand for the whole a selection of the company's latest line of products for display at the trade show

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun selection contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of selection are alternative, choice, election, option, and preference. While all these words mean "the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen," selection implies a range of choice.

a varied selection of furniture

When is it sensible to use alternative instead of selection?

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

equally attractive alternatives

When is choice a more appropriate choice than selection?

The synonyms choice and selection are sometimes interchangeable, but choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely.

freedom of choice

When would election be a good substitute for selection?

The words election and selection can be used in similar contexts, but election implies an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment.

doing a tax return forces certain elections on you

In what contexts can option take the place of selection?

The words option and selection are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, option implies a power to choose that is specifically granted or guaranteed.

the option of paying now or later

When can preference be used instead of selection?

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

a preference for cool weather

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 selection The rule is based on which parent's birthday falls earlier in the calendar year -- not age and not the family's selection. —Karen Morfitt, CBS News, 13 June 2026 Dress season is my favorite, and the selection of summer dresses at Amazon right now is chef’s kiss. —Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 June 2026 Its design was chosen without a competitive, public selection process (to the dismay of many in Congress), and construction will be privately funded. —Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 12 June 2026 Press’d also offers a limited selection of wine ($12) and bottled beer ($5 or $6). —Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for selection
Recent Examples of Synonyms for selection
  1. choice
  2. bet
  3. option
  4. sampling
  5. election
  6. sample
Noun
  • In some ways, the first lady stuck to her common fashion choices for fight night.
    — Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 15 June 2026
  • With a focus on driving down the high cost of living, fixing our broken health care system, getting ICE under control, ending this reckless and costly war of choice in the Middle East and cleaning up corruption.
    — NBC news, NBC news, 14 June 2026
Definition of choice
Noun
  • These bets were flagged by law enforcement officials, who then turned them over to the NCAA.
    — Trey Wallace, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2026
  • Many years later, in an interview with the YouTube channel Desimpedidos, Ronaldinho said that the whole episode was premeditated and part of a bet that earned him a free meal.
    — Stuart James, New York Times, 16 June 2026
Definition of bet
Noun
  • Singapore Changi Airport took the overall top spot for the best airport to spend a layover in thanks to its combination of top-notch sleepability, robust dining options, and strong facilities.
    — Kristine Hansen, Travel + Leisure, 14 June 2026
  • The floor-to-ceiling windows and the option to create several outdoor spaces, including a rooftop bar, balcony, and patios, which invite indoor-outdoor living and can nearly double hosting space and customer areas.
    — Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 14 June 2026
Definition of option
Noun
  • Over the next four weeks, the spacecraft will approach the rapidly spinning asteroid to begin studying and mapping its surface, lining up future sampling attempts.
    — Andrew Jones, Scientific American, 11 June 2026
  • Here’s a sampling of sports bars in the South Bay, Peninsula and East Bay planning screenings of games from June 11 to July 19.
    — Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 10 June 2026
Definition of sampling
Noun
  • Five months after that meeting, Rodríguez has indeed kept her political power with the backing of Washington, which benefits from the supply of Venezuelan oil now that it is immersed in a military campaign in the Middle East, ahead of November midterm elections.
    — Alfredo Meza, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
  • Henry County in Atlanta's suburbs is one of the counties where voters will go to the polls for next month's special election.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 June 2026
Definition of election
Noun
  • Flavonoids May Protect Cells and Reduce Inflammation Despite the small sample size, Hillis said there is still reason to believe that orange juice can benefit heart health2 and longevity.
    — Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 11 Dec. 2025
  • The typical sample size for a Gallup poll is 1,000 national adults with a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.
    — Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 11 Dec. 2025
Definition of sample

Browse Nearby Words

selecting
selection
selections
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Selection.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/selection. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on selection

Nglish: Translation of selection for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about selection

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