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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of optional
Some of these technologies are essential for ensuring the proper functioning of the service or website and cannot be disabled, while others are optional but serve to enhance the user experience in various ways.
—
Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 9 Sep. 2025
The standard 19-inch and optional 20-inch wheels also have a striking new design, according to Polestar.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2025
Highly likable people treat these interactions as meaningful, not optional.
—Lorraine K. Lee, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2025
You may also be prompted to register or sign in with your phone's manufacturer account, but this is usually optional.
—Simon Hill, Wired News, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for optional
Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 9 Sep. 2025
The standard 19-inch and optional 20-inch wheels also have a striking new design, according to Polestar.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2025
Highly likable people treat these interactions as meaningful, not optional.
—Lorraine K. Lee, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2025
You may also be prompted to register or sign in with your phone's manufacturer account, but this is usually optional.
—Simon Hill, Wired News, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for optional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for optional
Adjective
-
Debtor filed a voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition.—
Jay Adkisson,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Earlier this year, LNK International issued a voluntary recall of its Kirkland Signature Severe Cold & Flu Plus Congestion medication sold at Costco due to a batch mistakenly being released after it was rejected for potential foreign material contamination.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Its adoption has extended beyond elective purchases and is increasingly becoming a financial necessity, with 47 percent reporting using BNPL for groceries and 35 percent for medical bills.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The strike lasted 27 days, delaying some elective procedures and making some emergency room wait times longer.—
Patrick Aguilar,
The Conversation,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Advertisement By the time of the civil rights movement, broader social and cultural changes had strengthened individuals’ sense of personal liberty, and activism challenged policy brutality and discretionary overreach.—
Time,
Time,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The shift underscores the department's use of its authority to repurpose discretionary funds to match the president's priorities.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Optional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/optional. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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