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
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Recent Examples of optional
Rolling back optional benefits that state Medicaid programs can cover, like adult dental services, is one potential strategy.
—
Maya Goldman, Axios, 16 Jan. 2025
To search for fully remote or hybrid jobs, filter selections to include remote options, including remote only, remote optional and flexible/hybrid.
—Chyna Blackmon, Charlotte Observer, 15 Jan. 2025
The profile includes your child's name, birth date, and an optional photo.
—PCMAG, 13 Jan. 2025
After a half hour, I was called for my optional seshin, a full-body scrub delivered by an ajumma wearing the standard jjimjilbang uniform of black lace bra and underwear and wielding her exfoliating mitt like a weapon.
—Peggy Orenstein, AFAR Media, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for optional 
Maya Goldman, Axios, 16 Jan. 2025
To search for fully remote or hybrid jobs, filter selections to include remote options, including remote only, remote optional and flexible/hybrid.
—Chyna Blackmon, Charlotte Observer, 15 Jan. 2025
The profile includes your child's name, birth date, and an optional photo.
—PCMAG, 13 Jan. 2025
After a half hour, I was called for my optional seshin, a full-body scrub delivered by an ajumma wearing the standard jjimjilbang uniform of black lace bra and underwear and wielding her exfoliating mitt like a weapon.
—Peggy Orenstein, AFAR Media, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for optional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for optional
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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However, some patients with elective procedures are being rescheduled to a later date and all non-essential visitation has been postponed.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
13 Jan. 2025
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Blood Assurance is recommending that more than 70 hospitals in the region postpone elective surgeries until Jan. 24 to allow the organization to rebuild inventory.—
Craig Shoup,
The Tennessean,
22 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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That meant a range of actions, including coordinating with state, federal and county officials in the early days of recovery to help people get their feet under them, stripping back discretionary regulations and processing permits within days or hours instead of months.—
Jessica Garrison,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2025
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Provide practical strategies for reducing discretionary spending, distinguishing needs from wants and finding low-cost alternatives to expensive habits.—
Tor Constantino, MBA,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near optional
Cite this Entry
“Optional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/optional. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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