ALTERNATIVES Synonyms: 35 Similar and Opposite Words

alternatives

noun

plural of alternative

as in options

the power, right, or opportunity to choose there's no alternative: we must cross the stream to reach our destination

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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 alternatives The situation also left Everton scrambling for alternatives, with Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee — who played in a youth tournament for Everton during a trial — and Tammy Abraham of Aston Villa sounded out as possibilities. — Tom Burrows, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 But now, given the alternatives, embracing the stalemate is the best possible option for the United States. — James F. Jeffrey, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2026 Amazon has several alternatives that provide security while still looking like a chic handbag. — Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2026 Shades like strawberry, peach, and yellow blonde offer fun, vibrant alternatives to classic hues. — Kat Suico, InStyle, 2 Sep. 2026 Only after the engineer commits to a diagnosis does the model come back on, to propose the fix, generate alternatives, and sweep the code base for similar bugs. — IEEE Spectrum, 2 Sep. 2026 The company says the flights will generate mechanical, structural, and quality data that can be compared with terrestrial alternatives. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026 Existing payment rails have been slow and expensive for a long time, which is one reason alternatives emerged. — Manny Khan, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026 The Pets Table offers recipes featuring salmon and pork, providing alternatives that can help pet parents find a better fit for their individual dog. — Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for alternatives

Noun

To address cost worries, the finance options should be brought up early in the discussion.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026
The slouchy, mockneck sweater is back again, this time with plenty of cropped and cardigan options, too.

— Jordan Julian, InStyle, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of options

Noun

What shouldn’t happen, at least this Saturday against Florida Atlantic in the Gators’ opener of the Sumrall era, is any quarterback switcheroos, no matter how much Sumrall wants to continue weighing his choices.

— Noah White, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026
Of course, depending on options and packages, there may be some differences in materials, color choices, and performance—but the Stingray succeeds at offering the core Corvette experience.

— Jerry Perez, The Drive, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of choices

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alternatively

alternatives

alters

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“Alternatives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternatives. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of alternatives

noun

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