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

As reforms shift financial incentives, purchasers of medications could have more reason to choose lower-cost alternatives to expensive biologic drugs. — Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Because low testosterone is often linked to other health problems, Bernie says lifestyle changes can be an alternative to treatment, but may not always be realistic. — Will Stone, NPR, 10 Aug. 2026

Adjective

Rather than endorsing any single asset class, the rule establishes principles that apply across a broad range of alternative investments. — Artem Milinchuk, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Hemingway later found a second alternative path to battle, as a newspaperman. — Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for alternative

Recent Examples of Synonyms for alternative

Noun

The administration sees the naval blockade of the strait and sanctions as effective and views Trump as having additional options that can be cranked harder in the weeks and months ahead.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
Gameplay sees major defensive overhauls, smarter linebackers, and complex pre-snap options, creating a deeper, more challenging experience.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of option

Adjective

Santa Clarita city officials urged people to stay away from the area and use alternate routes if possible.

— Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026
When other projects like compilations, live recordings and alternate releases are also taken into consideration, Little Miss Twain ties as Twain’s second-lowest-peaking title on the Billboard 200.

— Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of alternate

Adjective

That includes parents who have 9-to-5 jobs, and nontraditional schedules, to single moms and dads.

— Melissa Willets, Parents, 4 Aug. 2026
Ferdon detailed how the crypto currency exchange became one of the biggest brands in the emerging world of nontraditional finance and banking options.

— Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 3 July 2026

Definition of nontraditional

Adjective

Voting is optional in New Zealand but enrollment for those eligible and living in the country is compulsory, with failure to do so punishable by a fine of 100 New Zealand dollars ($59).

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
For those who didn’t resent this labor, a nice optional touch was to add a blanket cover, obviously over the blanket.

— Judith Martin, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of optional

Adjective

Despite the unconventional nature, both Ray J and Brown likely walked away with significant earnings from the Zeus Promotions event.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
After using unconventional tactics, such as water-dropping helicopters, LAFD crews knocked down the fire and returned the property to Lineage for cleanup.

— Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of unconventional

Adjective

The resulting selection of stocks spans health care, consumer staples, industrials and consumer discretionary companies.

— Deena Zaidi, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026
Massage tools now sit alongside health trackers and IV drips as one of the discretionary categories where younger consumers are outspending everyone else.

— Rhett Power, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of discretionary

Adjective

These events occur when extremely hot underground water suddenly turns into steam, expands, and blasts apart the surrounding rock.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026
By the time Irv and Kath met, the Oberbach Corporation was ankle-deep in concrete, middle-manning the cheap Chinese labor the city needed to build its demonic underground highway along the river.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of underground

Browse Nearby Words

alternating

alternative

alternatively

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Alternative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternative. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of alternative

noun

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

The History of 'Alt-'

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on alternative

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

lackadaisical

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes

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

lackadaisical

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes