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
With the remaining optional equipment and fees, the final tally increased to $107,050.
—
James Raia, Mercury News, 8 June 2026
Under the proposal, landlords would be required to list all mandatory and optional fees on the first page of a lease agreement.
—Kenny Choi, CBS News, 6 June 2026
What customers increasingly dislike, Parmelee said, are screens that put pressure on customers to tip in situations in which gratuities were once optional or uncommon.
—Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2026
Now, OpenAI is rolling out Lockdown Mode, an optional security setting that limits the ability of its products to connect to the web or external services.
—Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for optional
James Raia, Mercury News, 8 June 2026
Under the proposal, landlords would be required to list all mandatory and optional fees on the first page of a lease agreement.
—Kenny Choi, CBS News, 6 June 2026
What customers increasingly dislike, Parmelee said, are screens that put pressure on customers to tip in situations in which gratuities were once optional or uncommon.
—Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2026
Now, OpenAI is rolling out Lockdown Mode, an optional security setting that limits the ability of its products to connect to the web or external services.
—Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for optional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for optional
Adjective
-
That distinction helps explain why federal agencies appear willing to collaborate with AI developers through voluntary testing programs while simultaneously maintaining detailed compliance frameworks for crypto firms.—
Sean Stein Smith,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
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Another approach to cutting down the workforce is voluntary layoffs, a move that rewards loyal workers.—
Jacqueline Munis,
Fortune,
6 June 2026
Adjective
-
And the degree requirements must include a mix of both general education and elective classes.—
Emilia Otte,
Hartford Courant,
4 June 2026
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Every few years, a billionaire wakes up, looks in the mirror, and decides that the only thing missing from an already extraordinary life is elective office.—
John Shallman,
Oc Register,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
Shoppers appear to have curbed their discretionary spending even more as the cost of buying gas went up, said Marshal Cohen, chief retail advisor at Circana.—
Anne D’Innocenzio,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
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Nick Wilcox, managing director for discretionary equities at Man Group, echoed that view, noting that Korea's rapid ascent in emerging-market indices has created structural pressures for international investors.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Optional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/optional. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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