as in option
the power, right, or opportunity to choose
there's no alternative: we must cross the stream to reach our destination
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in alternate
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in nontraditional
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of alternative
Ron Schmelzer,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
Open source, Chinese models draw attention The cost spike is pushing more businesses toward open-source models, including cheaper Chinese alternatives.
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Aditya Soni,
USA Today,
29 June 2026
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
29 June 2026
Kelley said the company looked at eight alternative locations to cross the river before settling on on the route through the parks.
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Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for alternative
Noun
Will the high costs of running and using Fable be justified now that alternatives have emerged?
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Ron Schmelzer,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
Open source, Chinese models draw attention The cost spike is pushing more businesses toward open-source models, including cheaper Chinese alternatives.
—
Aditya Soni,
USA Today,
29 June 2026
Adjective
Strong recent sales, favorable group life underwriting, and rising equity markets are boosting alternative investments.
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Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
29 June 2026
Kelley said the company looked at eight alternative locations to cross the river before settling on on the route through the parks.
—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for alternative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alternative
Noun
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With retail prices starting around $19,000 for entry models and climbing past $100,000 for advanced ones, rentals offer a more accessible option.
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Shop the comfortable, chic outfit-polisher in five color options, plus more Italian leather flats under $100.
Adjective
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The Ports, who played as their alternate Copa de la Diversión name, the Cheladas, also gave an option to give dad a shout-out on the jumbotron during a game where the Cheladas shut out the Visalia Rawhide, 8-0.
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Fish swim by alternate contractions of aerobic muscles that run the length of their bodies in a small red band just under their skin, while their large white anaerobic muscles are used only for brief bursts.
Adjective
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To remain tuition-free, Miss Major Middle is launching as a microschool, a nontraditional educational model gaining traction nationwide.
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BabyCenter's annual report on declining names found that nontraditional spellings — such as Charleigh, Alivia, Maddison and Emmitt —have seen a sharp fall in popularity.
Noun
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Miltos’ Greek Table at Andronis Luxury Suites is the Oia choice for travelers who want romance.
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Vic makes some baffling choices here, buzzing in twice on the first word in the series without hearing the rest, and getting eliminated from multiple rounds five seconds in.
Adjective
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The company is selling highly customizable electric vehicles that come with few standard features, but plenty of optional add-ons.
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An optional passenger display also makes its debut on the BMW X5.
Adjective
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Mauricio Pochettino has made the unconventional conventional since taking over as coach of the national team 18 months ago.
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Many shoppers are also moving beyond the classic round brilliant diamond in favor of geometric cuts, elongated shapes and unconventional settings.
Adjective
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And The 60-Day Grace Period When an H-1B or other visa holder loses their job, a discretionary 60-day grace period starts.
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Bass recently announced an initiative to repair and replace 60,000 streetlights over the next two years, and several council members have turned to their district’s discretionary funding to fix broken streetlights in their districts.
Adjective
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Inside, plans call for wet and dry research labs, teaching labs, collaboration areas, offices, instructional spaces and a 130‑space underground parking garage.
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Some experts — and Kennedy — argue that offering peptides through licensed compounding pharmacies would shrink this underground market and direct people toward safer products.
Cite this Entry
“Alternative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternative. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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