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
The rear bed measures 72 x 55 in (183 x 140 cm) as standard, and an optional center cushion boosts it up to an asymmetrical 72 x 66 inches (183 x 168 cm).
—
New Atlas, 10 Mar. 2025
As consumer expectations evolve and competition intensifies, carving out a clear niche is no longer optional.
—Sneha Lundia, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
Five en-suite bedrooms, including a main-level executive office or optional fourth bedroom, provide ultimate privacy and convenience.
—Rowan Briggs, The Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2025
Many small businesses rely on key employees—often foreign students on optional practical training (OPT)—who may not secure an H-1B visa, disrupting business operations and innovation.
—Sweta Khandelwal, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for optional
New Atlas, 10 Mar. 2025
As consumer expectations evolve and competition intensifies, carving out a clear niche is no longer optional.
—Sneha Lundia, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
Five en-suite bedrooms, including a main-level executive office or optional fourth bedroom, provide ultimate privacy and convenience.
—Rowan Briggs, The Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2025
Many small businesses rely on key employees—often foreign students on optional practical training (OPT)—who may not secure an H-1B visa, disrupting business operations and innovation.
—Sweta Khandelwal, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for optional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for optional
Adjective
-
The Washington Post reports that the Office of Personnel Management basically told HR officials across the government that the emails are voluntary and that the agency didn't plan to do anything with the emails that were submitted.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
22 Apr. 2025
-
The 49ers’ voluntary offseason program got underway Tuesday, while the trio named above awaits contract extensions befitting their status as underpaid leaders on a franchise in flux.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Patients will also be able to undergo elective surgeries, diagnostic imaging and receive cardiology, urology and other specialty care at the hospital.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2025
-
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
Adjective
-
Individuals who need help controlling discretionary spending.—
Andrew Rosen,
Forbes.com,
17 Apr. 2025
-
That spending plan would have left the state with a modest $363 million discretionary surplus, ending a two-year streak in which state lawmakers needed to plug significant spending shortfalls.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Optional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/optional. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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