SELECTION Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of selection are alternative , choice , election , option , and preference . While all these words mean "the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen," selection implies a range of choice. // a varied selection of furniture

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

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

Q: When is 'choice' a more appropriate choice than 'selection'?

The synonyms choice and selection are sometimes interchangeable, but choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely. // freedom of choice

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

The words election and selection can be used in similar contexts, but election implies an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment. // doing a tax return forces certain elections on you

Q: In what contexts can 'option' take the place of 'selection'?

The words option and selection are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, option implies a power to choose that is specifically granted or guaranteed. // the option of paying now or later

Q: When can 'preference' be used instead of 'selection'?

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

selection

noun

sə-ˈlek-shən

Definition of selection

as in choice

the act or process of selecting his selection of a running mate was a long, tedious affair

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in bet

a person or thing that is chosen our selection was the third entrant in the dog show

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in option

the power, right, or opportunity to choose the inn's table d'hôte is excellent, but there's very limited selection

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in sampling

a number of things selected from a group to stand for the whole a selection of the company's latest line of products for display at the trade show

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun selection contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of selection are alternative, choice, election, option, and preference. While all these words mean "the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen," selection implies a range of choice.

a varied selection of furniture

When is it sensible to use alternative instead of selection?

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

equally attractive alternatives

When is choice a more appropriate choice than selection?

The synonyms choice and selection are sometimes interchangeable, but choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely.

freedom of choice

When would election be a good substitute for selection?

The words election and selection can be used in similar contexts, but election implies an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment.

doing a tax return forces certain elections on you

In what contexts can option take the place of selection?

The words option and selection are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, option implies a power to choose that is specifically granted or guaranteed.

the option of paying now or later

When can preference be used instead of selection?

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

a preference for cool weather

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 selection Côté Sud An airy concept shop in Comporta village with a particularly vast selection of floaty caftans. — Mattie Kahn, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026 Designed to showcase local businesses and artisans, the festival will feature a diverse vendor market with a wide selection of handcrafted and specialty products, the release said. — Pioneer Press, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026 Lindsay’s trial begins Lindsay’s trial began on July 20, with jury selection at Plymouth County Superior Court in Plymouth, Mass. — Emma Banks, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026 The Colts got Van Pran-Granger and a 2027 seventh-round pick from Buffalo for a 2027 sixth-round selection. — ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for selection

Recent Examples of Synonyms for selection

Noun

Nick Pope is also still on Tyneside, even though he has been relegated to third-choice goalkeeper and was made available.

— George Caulkin, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
That choice could help Antares avoid developing every component specifically for nuclear use.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of choice

Noun

The smart play would be to pick an individual whose death prediction is associated with a large bounty, place a bet on the date of their death, fulfill that prediction, and collect the pot.

— Finn Brunton, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
There’s action in Beverly Hills, as luxury brands, developers and restaurant groups expand their footprints and make bigger bets on the city.

— Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of bet

Noun

Because individual-stock premiums are currently richer, managers may also be able to meet their income targets by writing options against a smaller portion of the portfolio.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
When Chelsea try to shift the ball back across to the right, Brighton press man-to-man and force Fofana to the touchline, leaving him with little option other than to play a long ball into the channel in the direction of Neto.

— Jon Mackenzie, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of option

Noun

Warning signs will be posted throughout John Martin Reservoir State Park and the advisory will be updated as new sampling results become available, according to CPW.

— Zach Hillstrom, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
The singles themselves function as a narrative arc rather than a random sampling of the album.

— Olivia Shalhoup, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of sampling

Noun

There have been some limited cases in which noncitizens have been criminally charged for voting or attempting to vote, including in Michigan, but it's been rare and not thought to have altered the outcome of any elections.

— Todd Spangler, Freep.com, 4 Sep. 2026
The prime minister raised the death toll to 141 amid conflicting intelligence accounts, mounting humanitarian strain in Ceuta and opposition calls for his resignation and early elections ahead of a national vote next year.

— Suman Naishadham, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of election

Noun

Everyone appreciated having access to writing samples, but two participants wanted additional context around each example.

— Jehan Lalkaka, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
However, the real science will begin when future Artemis astronauts bring back new lunar samples from deeper beneath the surface over the coming years.

— Keith Cooper, Space.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of sample

Browse Nearby Words

selecting

selection

selections

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Selection.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/selection. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of selection

noun

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