Synonym Chooser

How does the noun election contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of election are alternative, choice, option, preference, and selection. While all these words mean "the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen," election implies an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment.

doing a tax return forces certain elections on you

When is it sensible to use alternative instead of election?

While the synonyms alternative and election are close in meaning, alternative implies a need to choose one and reject another possibility.

equally attractive alternatives

When might choice be a better fit than election?

While in some cases nearly identical to election, choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely.

freedom of choice

When would option be a good substitute for election?

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

the option of paying now or later

When is preference a more appropriate choice than election?

In some situations, the words preference and election are roughly equivalent. However, preference suggests a choice guided by one's judgment or predilections.

a preference for cool weather

When could selection be used to replace election?

The words selection and election 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 election Remember when DeSantis declared that Florida pulled off the most secure election in the country in 2020? Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2025 In the past two elections, however, Chicago voters elevated amateurs to the mayor’s office, with no management experience and minor political histories. Forrest Claypool, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025 The race, with the assist from Musk, has become the most expensive judicial election in American history, with more than $81 million in spending. CBS News, 31 Mar. 2025 In presidential elections held last September, Wickremasinghe was handily defeated by Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who despite his Marxist revolutionary credentials has continued to implement reforms, and complied with IMF conditions in exchange for financial support. Vasuki Shastry, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for election
Recent Examples of Synonyms for election
Noun
  • Google's legal team will forecast a world in which Chrome has become less secure without Google's involvement, the Chromium project has crumbled, and browser choice has cratered.
    Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Chris Perkins' final NFL mock draft: Dolphins make the obvious choice . . .
    Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In practice, however, Americans who don’t have retirement savings options at work aren’t likely to take the initiative on their own.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • European countries, Japan, and other major allies of the United States, along with potential new coalition partners, have several options.
    Ngaire Woods, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Powell even listed the gig in nomination papers for the Fed chairmanship.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The scandal came as Jacques Audiard’s drug cartel musical was the frontrunner for best picture, earning a top 13 nominations and eventually taking home two statues.
    Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • But after more than 40,000 additional mail-in ballots yet to be counted were tallied and announced Friday, Lee went ahead of Taylor by about 5 points, or nearly 5,000 votes.
    Jared Gans, The Hill, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Three weeks later, though, an August vote appears increasingly unlikely.
    Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • This means the board will generally have a wide view from different sources of what the value of a deal should be worth and make a decision based on that.
    Matt Slater, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
  • In a letter to the Trump administration, Blumenthal sought an accounting of how many visas have been revoked, the reasons cited for each one, and whether students were afforded due process to contest the decision.
    Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Parents say private or homeschool is the only way to avoid conflict with religion After various teachers, administrators and parents raised concerns about the effectiveness and age-appropriateness of the books, the school system allowed students to be excused when they were read in class.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Southern interior designers know that there are many different ways to enjoy nice china that don't involve dining.
    Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 20 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • From cozy shearling to leopard print, Scandi labels, and a sprinkling of The Row, Lawrence sees herself through the seasons and elements in a various but curated selection of outerwear.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 10 Apr. 2025
  • In the end, however, Microsoft chose a selection double the length limit mentioned in the proposal.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 10 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Election.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/election. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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