ELECTION Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'election' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of election are alternative , choice , option , preference , and selection . While all these words mean "the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen," election implies an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment. // doing a tax return forces certain elections on you

Q: When is it sensible to use 'alternative' instead of 'election'?

While the synonyms alternative and election are close in meaning, alternative implies a need to choose one and reject another possibility. // equally attractive alternatives

Q: When might 'choice' be a better fit than 'election'?

While in some cases nearly identical to election , choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely. // freedom of choice

Q: When would 'option' be a good substitute for 'election'?

The meanings of option and election largely overlap; however, option implies a power to choose that is specifically granted or guaranteed. // the option of paying now or later

Q: When is 'preference' a more appropriate choice than 'election'?

In some situations, the words preference and election are roughly equivalent. However, preference suggests a choice guided by one's judgment or predilections. // a preference for cool weather

Q: When could 'selection' be used to replace 'election'?

The words selection and election can be used in similar contexts, but selection implies a range of choice. // a varied selection of furniture

election

noun

i-ˈlek-shən

Definition of election next

as in choice

the act or process of selecting the election of a major is something that every college student has to do at some point

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in option

the power, right, or opportunity to choose at the country inn, breakfast in bed is entirely at the election of the guest

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun election contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of election are alternative, choice, option, preference, and selection. While all these words mean "the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen," election implies an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment.

doing a tax return forces certain elections on you

When is it sensible to use alternative instead of election?

While the synonyms alternative and election are close in meaning, alternative implies a need to choose one and reject another possibility.

equally attractive alternatives

When might choice be a better fit than election?

While in some cases nearly identical to election, choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely.

freedom of choice

When would option be a good substitute for election?

The meanings of option and election largely overlap; however, option implies a power to choose that is specifically granted or guaranteed.

the option of paying now or later

When is preference a more appropriate choice than election?

In some situations, the words preference and election are roughly equivalent. However, preference suggests a choice guided by one's judgment or predilections.

a preference for cool weather

When could selection be used to replace election?

The words selection and election can be used in similar contexts, but selection implies a range of choice.

a varied selection of furniture

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 election Should the sheriff be removed, the Board of Supervisors would have 30 days to appoint a replacement or call a special election. —

Ryan MacAsero, The Mercury News, 9 Feb. 2025 Yet the 2020 election thrust partisan politics onto that role. —

Lisa Lerer, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2025 After staying away from publicly commenting on politics during the beginning of her career, Swift endorsed a Democratic candidate in the U.S. Senate election in Tennessee in 2018. —

Rebecca Schneid, TIME, 8 Feb. 2025 But for the president, vice president, members of Congress, Supreme Court justices, and other government official positions outlined in the Constitution, that determination is not made by a federal investigator, but rather by election or appointment. —

Juliana Kim, NPR, 8 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for election

Recent Examples of Synonyms for election

Noun

While the 30th annual Critics Choice Awards 2025 was a more muted affair this year, with attendees’ fashion choices leaning more into darker tones and simple silhouettes, there remained some dynamic moments.

— Fernanda Pérez Sánchez, Vogue, 8 Feb. 2025
Direct sound clashes with expressionistic (and sometimes just plain nutty) audio choices.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2025