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Synonyms

opt out

British  

verb

  1. to choose not to be involved (in) or part (of)

"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

noun

  1. the act of opting out, esp of local-authority administration

    opt-outs by hospitals and schools
"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
opt out Idioms  

  1. Choose not to participate, as in Our school opted out of the state competition. [Slang; mid-1900s]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

You know, we’re going to opt out on intelligence.’”

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

Until then, it’s easier for some to just opt out entirely.

From Slate • Apr. 9, 2026

Unlike the UK bill, the original Holyrood bill included a conscientious objection provision, stating that individuals or organisations must not be "subject to any detriment" if they opt out.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

The problem there is that the “experts” have no way of knowing that there’s anything to opt out from, since Grammarly hasn’t published a comprehensive roster.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

Like Katherine Goble, however, they also figured a way to opt out of the segregated facilities.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.