as in optional
subject to one's freedom of choice
a plastic surgeon who mainly does face-lifting and other kinds of elective surgery
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in refresher
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in option
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 elective
Victor Cha, The Atlantic, 20 Dec. 2024
Because the country's health system is founded on the principle of access and not ability to pay, many Canadians who can afford American healthcare will often travel south to the U.S. for elective procedures.
—Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
Cole Behrens, The Enquirer, 25 Nov. 2024
That streak snapped a 30-year elective drought that included nine straight Republican wins.
—Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for elective 
Adjective
Other stubborn problems—low birth rates, underemployment among the college-educated, a doctors’ strike that has effectively halted elective medical procedures—have gone largely unaddressed.
—Victor Cha, The Atlantic, 20 Dec. 2024
Because the country's health system is founded on the principle of access and not ability to pay, many Canadians who can afford American healthcare will often travel south to the U.S. for elective procedures.
—Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
Religious release time allows students to leave during the day for religious instruction, typically during an elective or lunch.
—Cole Behrens, The Enquirer, 25 Nov. 2024
That streak snapped a 30-year elective drought that included nine straight Republican wins.
—Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for elective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elective
Adjective
-
At their core, risotto recipes are quite humble, calling for rice, broth, aromatics (often some type of onion and garlic), and optional mix-ins like cheese, vegetables, wine, and meat.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 Jan. 2025
-
Allwood even sells additional wall planks and an exterior awning (currently unavailable) as optional add-ons.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Shayna Goldman has an NHL midseason concern-o-meter that’s a good refresher.—
Chris Branch,
The Athletic,
21 Jan. 2025
-
For a refresher on the ultimate essential for any season, dial Jacob Cohën.—
Sandra Salibian,
WWD,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
This is probably not the option your dad wants to choose.—
Lois K. Solomon,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Jan. 2025
-
If your bathmat isn't up to par, consider replacing it with this top-selling option — 302 readers already have.—
Toni Sutton,
People.com,
28 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
But the idea of displacement, voluntary or otherwise, is horrifying to Jordan and Egypt and likely alarming to other Arab allies of the US, threatening decades of international consensus about the right of Palestinians to a homeland.—
Tim Lister,
CNN,
28 Jan. 2025
-
In 1994, the N.C. Poultry Federation adopted voluntary guidelines that said poultry houses should not be built closer than 500 feet to an occupied residence.—
Ames Alexander,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Guests enjoyed a watermelon salad for an appetizer, then chose between a filet mignon, chicken breast or mushroom risotto for their main course before diving into slices of a four-tier vanilla wedding cake and spoonfuls of mango sorbet topped with Tajín.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
People.com,
20 Jan. 2025
-
Politicians from both parties, of course, have proposed solutions to the problem.—
David Byrd,
Baltimore Sun,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Throughout all four days of the retreat, guests can take part in fascinating educational seminars, with topics spanning from manta ray identification methods to the inner workings of plankton, a diverse type of organism that makes up the bulk of a manta ray’s diet.—
Jared Ranahan,
Forbes,
24 Jan. 2025
-
On Kimberly Taking the Risks to Protest Kimberly is on track to realize her dream of becoming a Supreme Court Justice, especially with her special spot in a seminar for older students with an esteemed guest professor played by Tig Notaro.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The premise: a clinic where all the appointments for men aged 20 to 45 are structured like a chill podcast where the patient is a guest who reveals his medical history in the course of a podcast chat.—
Omar L. Gallaga,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2025
-
Four days after President Donald Trump took office, the Justice Department is restricting prosecutions for interfering with access to reproductive health clinics.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA TODAY,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Braces, dance classes, softball and T-ball and band instruments all eat into paychecks.—
Jonathan Shorman,
Kansas City Star,
24 Jan. 2025
-
Now, a new class of medications is offering hope and buying more quality time for Alzheimer’s patients.—
Team Verywell Health,
Verywell Health,
24 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near elective
Cite this Entry
“Elective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elective. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share