OPTIONAL Synonyms: 20 Similar and Opposite Words

optional

adjective

ˈäp-sh(ə-)nəl

Definition of optional

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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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 optional That item is currently part of an optional question bank that state and local governments can choose to include when crafting their own surveys. — Sarah Todd, STAT, 15 Oct. 2026 The change would also make public comment on new projects optional and remove the requirement to consult with Native American tribes. — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 15 Oct. 2026 An air-blast system is included; the optional Flood Coolant module adds coolant delivery and chip collection for heavier metal work, while the Dust Collection module keeps wood and plastic jobs clean. — New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026 Plan for additional bench space for the optional-but-essential Studio Wash+Cure station ($199) and VOC extractor ($179), plus a clear area for handling wet prints. — Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for optional

Recent Examples of Synonyms for optional

Adjective

Atlanta’s Elizabeth Williams described the effort as voluntary and driven by players.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026
That requires independent evaluators to red-team AI models before deployment, not voluntary company disclosures.

— Raj Panjabi, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of voluntary

Adjective

Check your insurance terms directly rather than assuming elective treatment or related complications are covered.

— Kaitlyn Gomez, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026
When the documentary team spoke with her family, her sister Hilda Harp said that Randolph convinced Frances to have an elective heart surgery that her doctors had recommended.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of elective

Adjective

Goldman estimated that active funds benchmarked to MSCI and FTSE indexes hold more than $8 billion in Indonesian equities, although any selling by these investors would be discretionary rather than automatically triggered by a downgrade.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026
Experts say such higher pump prices will continue to squeeze lower-income shoppers, while higher-income shoppers buoyed by stock market gains will keep splurging on discretionary purchases.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of discretionary

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option

optional

optionally

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“Optional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/optional. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of optional

adjective

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