alternative

[ awl-tur-nuh-tiv, al- ]

/ ɔlˈtɜr nə tɪv, æl- /

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See synonyms for: alternative / alternatives / alternatively on Thesaurus.com

noun

a choice limited to one of two or more possibilities, as of things, propositions, or courses of action, the selection of which precludes any other possibility: You have the alternative of riding or walking.

one of the things, propositions, or courses of action that can be chosen: The alternative to riding is walking.

a possible or remaining course or choice: There was no alternative but to walk.

adjective

affording a choice of two or more things, propositions, or courses of action.

(of two things, propositions, or courses) mutually exclusive so that if one is chosen the other must be rejected: The alternative possibilities are neutrality and war.

employing or following nontraditional or unconventional ideas, methods, etc.; existing outside the establishment: an alternative newspaper; alternative lifestyles.

Logic. (of a proposition) asserting two or more choices, at least one of which is true.

OTHER WORDS FOR alternative

1 option, selection.

See synonyms for alternative on Thesaurus.com

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Also alternate (for defs. 1-4, 6).

Origin of alternative

First recorded in 1580–90; alternate + -ive

synonym study for alternative

1. See choice.

OTHER WORDS FROM alternative

al·ter·na·tive·ly, adverbal·ter·na·tive·ness, al·ter·na·tiv·i·ty

[awl-tur-nuh-tiv-i-tee, al-], /ɔlˌtɜr nəˈtɪv ɪ ti, æl-/, nounqua·si-al·ter·na·tive, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH alternative

alternate, alternative

Words nearby alternative

alternating light, alternating series, alternating voltage, alternation, alternation of generations, alternative, alternative conjunction, alternative curriculum, alternative energy, alternative fuel, alternative history

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use alternative in a sentence

Similarly, representatives from Quaker tell Eater that rice cakes were first launched as “a low-carb alternative to bread” in the mid-’80s.
The Rise and Fall of the Rice Cake, America’s One-Time Favorite Health Snack|Brenna Houck|September 17, 2020|Eater
If you’re looking for something to help you get healthier and more active, or just an alternative to your current workout routine, look for tiktoks with specific instructions.
Use TikTok to build the perfect workout|Sandra Gutierrez G.|September 17, 2020|Popular-Science
The technology essentially combines the performance benefits of the diesel engine design with the low costs and the low emissions associated with these alternative fuels, co-founder and CEO BJ Johnson said in a recent interview with TechCrunch.
ClearFlame Engine Technologies takes aim at cleaning up diesel engines|Kirsten Korosec|September 17, 2020|TechCrunch
There are, today, a large number of groups that continue to spread misleading health information or push users to try alternative or untested cures.
Facebook tries to clean up Groups with new policies|Sarah Perez|September 17, 2020|TechCrunch

The coronavirus pandemic is set to change the way millions of Americans can vote in November, as states expand access to mail-in voting as a safer alternative to in-person voting.
Vote by mail: Which states allow absentee voting|Kate Rabinowitz, Brittany Mayes|September 17, 2020|Washington Post
Whatever the FBI says, the truthers will create alternative hypotheses that try to challenge the ‘official story.’
Was Sony Hit With a Second Hack?|Shane Harris|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
It reminded me a bit of an alternative take on The Wolf of Wall Street—through the Toni and Candace lens.
Coffee Talk with Fred Armisen: On ‘Portlandia,’ Meeting Obama, and Taylor Swift’s Greatness|Marlow Stern|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Already, 10 Republicans have declared they will vote for an alternative candidate and more seemed poised to join.
Kamikaze Congress Prepares to Strike Boehner|Ben Jacobs|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
No longer does it constitute a reliable, middle class-based alternative to the corporatist mindset of the Republicans.
Time to Bring Back the Truman Democrats|Joel Kotkin|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Another dark horse, Tennessee Senator Al Gore, was finding little traction in his efforts to become a centrist alternative.
Want President Hillary? Then Primary Her|Jeff Greenfield|November 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
"I will," gruffly replied the man, with a look which showed that he was sorry to be forced to choose the second alternative.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 60, No. 372, October 1846|Various
He had no alternative; he had as large interests in England as in Scotland, and armed opposition was out of the question.
King Robert the Bruce|A. F. Murison
Mr. Balfour, being an abstemious man, would not submit to the latter alternative, but consented to tell a story.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun;|Various
Comyn chose the latter alternative; and the agreement was guaranteed by oaths and embodied in indentures duly sealed.
King Robert the Bruce|A. F. Murison
The future composer had no alternative but to study these works in pianoforte arrangements.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky|Modeste Tchaikovsky

British Dictionary definitions for alternative

alternative

/ (ɔːlˈtɜːnətɪv) /

noun

a possibility of choice, esp between two things, courses of action, etc

either of such choiceswe took the alternative of walking

adjective

presenting a choice, esp between two possibilities only

(of two things) mutually exclusive

denoting a lifestyle, culture, art form, etc, regarded by its adherents as preferable to that of contemporary society because it is less conventional, materialistic, or institutionalized, and, often, more in harmony with nature

logic another word for disjunctive (def. 3)

Derived forms of alternative

alternatively, adverbalternativeness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

alternative

OTHER WORDS FOR alternative

Origin of alternative

synonym study for alternative

OTHER WORDS FROM alternative

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH alternative

Words nearby alternative

Words related to alternative

How to use alternative in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for alternative

Derived forms of alternative