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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of optional
Conclusion Sustainability in marketing and advertising is no longer optional.
—
Evgeny Popov, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
If the federal government makes cuts to Medicaid, optional programs could be first on the chopping block.
—Isadora Kosofsky, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2024
This guidance signals that, even as new technologies reshape workplace practices, compliance with federal law is mandatory—not optional.
—Alonzo Martinez, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
Servers tie optional blue bandanas around their necks.
—Caroline Hatchett, Robb Report, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for optional 
Evgeny Popov, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
If the federal government makes cuts to Medicaid, optional programs could be first on the chopping block.
—Isadora Kosofsky, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2024
This guidance signals that, even as new technologies reshape workplace practices, compliance with federal law is mandatory—not optional.
—Alonzo Martinez, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
Servers tie optional blue bandanas around their necks.
—Caroline Hatchett, Robb Report, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for optional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for optional
Adjective
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This is a sharp decline from $102.7 million in the same quarter last year, attributed to the voluntary discontinuation of the marketing authorizations for RELYVRIO and ALBRIOZA.Quartz Bot, Quartz, 7 Nov. 2024
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Johnson & Johnson had also done a voluntary recall in 2018 after sub-trace levels of asbestos were found in their products.Angel Saunders, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Hospitals nationwide are facing shortages, and some are considering cancelling elective surgeries.Brian Castrucci, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024
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Doctors at hospitals in large cities around India pledged to strike indefinitely and halt elective procedures after the rape and murder of a medic in a state-run hospital, CBS News reported.Tina Reed, Axios, 13 Aug. 2024
Adjective
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The company and its rivals have been hurt by customers cutting back on discretionary spending because of inflation.Jordan Valinsky, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
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Reality check: The changes would have represented a small percentage of the $1.76 billion in discretionary spending in the 2025 budget.Esteban L. Hernandez, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near optional
Cite this Entry
“Optional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/optional. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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