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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 optional
It's accessed through its optional outdoor porch, which expands living space considerably, while sliding glass doors help open the home up to the outside.
—
Adam Williams, New Atlas, 7 Apr. 2025
The black tie optional Soaring Strings celebrates Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra’s 47th season via a silent auction with online bidding, The CoverGirls Violin Show, cocktails at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. and music and dancing until 10:30 p.m. on April 26.
—Jessi Virtusio, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025
Details, decals, and glitter are optional, of course.
—Irene Coltrinari, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2025
No child should leave a Connecticut school unable to read or write proficiently; literacy is not optional.
—Ken Barela, Hartford Courant, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for optional
Adam Williams, New Atlas, 7 Apr. 2025
The black tie optional Soaring Strings celebrates Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra’s 47th season via a silent auction with online bidding, The CoverGirls Violin Show, cocktails at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. and music and dancing until 10:30 p.m. on April 26.
—Jessi Virtusio, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025
Details, decals, and glitter are optional, of course.
—Irene Coltrinari, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2025
No child should leave a Connecticut school unable to read or write proficiently; literacy is not optional.
—Ken Barela, Hartford Courant, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for optional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for optional
Adjective
-
What's Being Recalled And Why The voluntary recall was initiated by Cabot’s parent company, Agri-Mark, Inc., on March 26, 2025, after internal testing detected elevated levels of coliform bacteria.—
Stephanie Gravalese,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
-
In the letter, DeJoy told lawmakers that the agency plans to cut 10,000 employees through voluntary early retirement efforts.—
Filip Timotija,
The Hill,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Some have speculated that a future consumer market for BCI would resemble LASIK eye surgery or cosmetic procedures: serious but routine, completed as an elective outpatient procedure and covered by insurance.—
Naveen Rao,
Forbes.com,
2 Apr. 2025
-
Of course, this is also useful information for any of us who need elective surgery at any point in the future.—
Dylan Scott,
Vox,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Homeowners are increasingly forced to cut back on discretionary spending or dip into savings just to keep up with the costs of staying put.—
Ilona Limonta-Volkova,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
That a majority of this court now rewards the government for its behavior with discretionary equitable relief is indefensible.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Optional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/optional. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share