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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of optional
Its core revenue comes from direct-to-consumer sales of saliva collection kits for genetic testing, priced from $99 to $499, with the higher end including optional subscription services.
—
Rosa De Acosta, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2025
An optional add-on to potentially increase nonjackpot prizes for an additional dollar and a $3 feature for two plays for the jackpot will be discontinued.
—Alex Sundby, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2025
Foster connection by hosting virtual coffee breaks or team-building activities ‒ these can be casual and optional.
—Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2025
Many homeowners are shocked to learn that water backup coverage isn’t standard in most policies, and is instead an endorsement, or optional addition to coverage.
—Danielle Seurkamp, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for optional
Rosa De Acosta, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2025
An optional add-on to potentially increase nonjackpot prizes for an additional dollar and a $3 feature for two plays for the jackpot will be discontinued.
—Alex Sundby, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2025
Foster connection by hosting virtual coffee breaks or team-building activities ‒ these can be casual and optional.
—Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2025
Many homeowners are shocked to learn that water backup coverage isn’t standard in most policies, and is instead an endorsement, or optional addition to coverage.
—Danielle Seurkamp, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for optional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for optional
Adjective
-
The voluntary program allows people who have two years or less of their sentence remaining to serve the rest of their time in a center that offers help with reentering the community.—
Alene Tchekmedyian,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2025
-
While there has even been some talk of a military invasion, there are other ways America could gain control of the Arctic territory, such as free association, which is the ability to maintain self-government along with a voluntary and mutual partnership with a sovereign state.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Some have speculated that a future consumer market for BCI would resemble LASIK eye surgery or cosmetic procedures: serious but routine, completed as an elective outpatient procedure and covered by insurance.—
Naveen Rao,
Forbes.com,
2 Apr. 2025
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Of course, this is also useful information for any of us who need elective surgery at any point in the future.—
Dylan Scott,
Vox,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Homeowners are increasingly forced to cut back on discretionary spending or dip into savings just to keep up with the costs of staying put.—
Ilona Limonta-Volkova,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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That a majority of this court now rewards the government for its behavior with discretionary equitable relief is indefensible.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Optional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/optional. Accessed 11 Apr. 2025.
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