ALTERNATIVE Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'alternative' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of alternative are choice , election , option , preference , and selection . While all these words mean "the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen," alternative implies a need to choose one and reject another possibility. // equally attractive alternatives

Q: When can 'choice' be used instead of 'alternative'?

The words choice and alternative are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely. // freedom of choice

Q: In what contexts can 'election' take the place of 'alternative'?

The synonyms election and alternative are sometimes interchangeable, but election implies an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment. // doing a tax return forces certain elections on you

Q: When is 'option' a more appropriate choice than 'alternative'?

The meanings of option and alternative largely overlap; however, option implies a power to choose that is specifically granted or guaranteed. // the option of paying now or later

Q: When would 'preference' be a good substitute for 'alternative'?

While in some cases nearly identical to alternative , preference suggests a choice guided by one's judgment or predilections. // a preference for cool weather

Q: Where would 'selection' be a reasonable alternative to 'alternative'?

The words selection and alternative can be used in similar contexts, but selection implies a range of choice. // a varied selection of furniture

alternative 1 of 2

noun

Definition of alternative

as in option

the power, right, or opportunity to choose there's no alternative: we must cross the stream to reach our destination

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

alternative

2 of 2

adjective

as in alternate

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

as in nontraditional

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun alternative contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of alternative are choice, election, option, preference, and selection. While all these words mean "the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen," alternative implies a need to choose one and reject another possibility.

equally attractive alternatives

When can choice be used instead of alternative?

The words choice and alternative are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely.

freedom of choice

In what contexts can election take the place of alternative?

The synonyms election and alternative are sometimes interchangeable, but election implies an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment.

doing a tax return forces certain elections on you

When is option a more appropriate choice than alternative?

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

the option of paying now or later

When would preference be a good substitute for alternative?

While in some cases nearly identical to alternative, preference suggests a choice guided by one's judgment or predilections.

a preference for cool weather

Where would selection be a reasonable alternative to alternative?

The words selection and alternative 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 alternative

Noun

For example, Impossible Foods uses a compound called leghemoglobin (a heme protein derived from soybeans) to flavor its meat alternatives. — Lila Magbilang, Scientific American, 12 Oct. 2026 At the time, Getty had hired Guggenheim Securities to seek strategic financing alternatives in its standalone path. — Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2026

Adjective

Currently, the Enigme silhouette retails for $980 and also comes in an alternative teal hue. — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 4 Oct. 2026 Dan Barreiro, 1st Ward, spoke against the opening of the existing gate and suggested Batavia delay its decision and the cities work to find an alternative solution. — Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for alternative

Recent Examples of Synonyms for alternative

Noun

We were also impressed by the versatile food options—particularly the Cantonese cuisine and excellent afternoon tea.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Oct. 2026
This would provide some interesting tactical options for the Navy, especially for conflicts with rivals, like China.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of option

Adjective

Drivers are encouraged to find alternate routes around the closure, including using navigation apps.

— Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026
The author’s latest speculative dystopian fiction features parallel universes that explore alternate realities — and doppelgangers that stumble between the two.

— Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of alternate

Adjective

According to the Navy, this approach can help nontraditional defense companies move technologies from research and development toward procurement.

— Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026
President Obama was accused of limiting access to independent photojournalists, and famously favored nontraditional media outlets at the advent of the social media age.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of nontraditional

Noun

The technology that investors and governments are counting on to lift the global economy is also adding pressure that threatens growth, the head of the International Monetary Fund said, urging policymakers to stop delaying painful choices on debt.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
An excellent choice for meandering to the city’s biggest tourist draws.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of choice

Adjective

Amenities and experiences The Tasting Room at Seminary Hill offers a tour of their orchards and cidery operation with an optional cider tasting.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026
An optional slim keyboard drawer adds functionality without disrupting the minimalist look.

— Vy Yang, Architectural Digest, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of optional

Adjective

As with their other current CBS hit Elsbeth — and unlike their more creatively unconventional streaming shows The Good Fight and Evil — Cupertino sands down some of the Kings’ jagged edges, aiming for something cuter.

— Noel Murray, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
He was known for intense performances and roles that often portrayed complex or unconventional characters.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of unconventional

Adjective

However, rising costs for housing, food, fuel and insurance coupled with cooling employment rends and the lowest consumer sentiment in a decade is squeezing discretionary spending.

— Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
Pepsi is planning cost reductions to cut down on redundancies and discretionary spending to pay for investments in innovation and marketing, Laguarta said in prepared remarks.

— Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of discretionary

Adjective

The dehumanization of Black people represented by the persistence of Confederate iconography in mainstream culture became an underground signifier of the precariousness of the freedoms enshrined by the 14th Amendment.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
Much has been written about the sprawling compounds of tech titans like Mark Zuckerberg, whose 1,400-acre Kauai property includes plans for a 5,000-square-foot underground shelter.

— Megan Buerger, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of underground

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alternating

alternative

alternatively

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“Alternative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternative. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of alternative

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Synonyms of alternative

noun

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to alternative

The History of 'Alt-'

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on alternative

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

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'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

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What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

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7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

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Games & Quizzes