as in options
the power, right, or opportunity to choose
there's no alternative: we must cross the stream to reach our destination
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Recent Examples of alternatives
Women-only programs include administrative assistant, missionary wife, and general studies in the department of Bible, while the men-only alternatives are missions, youth ministry, and pastoral theology.
—
Olivia Empson, Vanity Fair, 27 Mar. 2026
The United States and its allies have depleted their stocks of expensive air-defense missiles to try to shoot them down, forcing governments across the Middle East to rush-order cheaper alternatives, such as interceptors manufactured in Ukraine.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
In his notice, Nordseth demanded the city halt all funding for the project, rescind the original 2024 agreement and explore lower-cost alternatives, such as using the American Airlines Center.
—Everton Bailey Jr, Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026
Private transit alternatives could offer better options to consider (ride hailing, self-driving vehicles) that could relieve congestion and allow for a better focus on making roads safer and cleaner for everyone.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Governments are scrambling for alternatives, too.
—Ezgi Canpolat, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2026
Each inlay removes via two tiny screws and readily swaps with alternatives.
—New Atlas, 26 Mar. 2026
Cities such as Houston, Miami, Dallas, and Austin are emerging as credible alternatives for investment banking headquarters, particularly for firms focused on private companies and institutional capital.
—William Jones, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
Back then, countries found alternatives like increasing imports from the Middle East, according to Máximo Torero, the chief economist for the United Nations Food and Agriculture organization.
—Fatma Tanis, NPR, 20 Mar. 2026
Olivia Empson, Vanity Fair, 27 Mar. 2026
The United States and its allies have depleted their stocks of expensive air-defense missiles to try to shoot them down, forcing governments across the Middle East to rush-order cheaper alternatives, such as interceptors manufactured in Ukraine.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
In his notice, Nordseth demanded the city halt all funding for the project, rescind the original 2024 agreement and explore lower-cost alternatives, such as using the American Airlines Center.
—Everton Bailey Jr, Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026
Private transit alternatives could offer better options to consider (ride hailing, self-driving vehicles) that could relieve congestion and allow for a better focus on making roads safer and cleaner for everyone.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Governments are scrambling for alternatives, too.
—Ezgi Canpolat, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2026
Each inlay removes via two tiny screws and readily swaps with alternatives.
—New Atlas, 26 Mar. 2026
Cities such as Houston, Miami, Dallas, and Austin are emerging as credible alternatives for investment banking headquarters, particularly for firms focused on private companies and institutional capital.
—William Jones, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
Back then, countries found alternatives like increasing imports from the Middle East, according to Máximo Torero, the chief economist for the United Nations Food and Agriculture organization.
—Fatma Tanis, NPR, 20 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alternatives
Noun
-
Are there family-friendly options?—
Adam Bell
April 2,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Elders and their families do have options, lawyers emphasized.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The viral video appeared to take that emphasis to an extreme, leaning heavily into dramatic editing choices more commonly associated with cinematic productions than traditional albums.—
Claire Dodds,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The star running back and four-star recruit fielded offers from numerous Power Five schools, and had narrowed his choices down to the Fighting Irish along with Indiana, Penn State and Georgia.—
Tyler McManus,
Boston Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Alternatives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternatives. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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