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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 optional Standard connectivity features include Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, with optional upgrades like dual-SIM 4G LTE or 5G mobile broadband. PC Magazine, 28 May 2025 Discussion boards and optional office hours are offered to provide additional support as students move through the course. Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 28 May 2025 Given that water isn’t exactly optional for living, a potentially durable engineering solution like this is worth running to ground. Tom Philp, Mercury News, 23 May 2025 As mentioned, the Bellbird comes with a lot of optional upgrades and there are too many to list in full. Adam Williams may 17, New Atlas, 17 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for optional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for optional
Adjective
  • These are also voluntary workouts, so no need to sound an alarm just yet.
    Daniel Popper, New York Times, 28 May 2025
  • The drills are still meant to be non-contact during the voluntary sessions.
    Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025
Adjective
  • Kettering Health, which employs more than 1,800 doctors, said the cyberattack had disrupted its call center and caused the cancellation of elective inpatient and outpatient procedures.
    Jade Walker, CNN Money, 21 May 2025
  • Per the outlets, Ryan had taken some time off in August in order to have the elective eye procedure and expected to be back in uniform a few days later.
    Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 21 May 2025
Adjective
  • For shareholders, of note will be the potential impact on discretionary funds available for distribution, including dividends, share buybacks and bonus payments.
    Ruxandra Iordache,April Roach, CNBC, 6 June 2025
  • For example, over four years beginning in June 2020, Do directed millions of dollars in pandemic-era funding to Viet America Society through his First District discretionary funds for a meals program for the elderly and people with disabilities, starting with an initial $5 million that June.
    Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 6 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Optional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/optional. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on optional

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!