ELECTION Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of election are alternative , choice , option , preference , and selection . While all these words mean "the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen," election implies an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment. // doing a tax return forces certain elections on you

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

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

Q: When might 'choice' be a better fit than 'election'?

While in some cases nearly identical to election , choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely. // freedom of choice

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

The meanings of option and election largely overlap; however, option implies a power to choose that is specifically granted or guaranteed. // the option of paying now or later

Q: When is 'preference' a more appropriate choice than 'election'?

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

Q: When could 'selection' be used to replace 'election'?

The words selection and election can be used in similar contexts, but selection implies a range of choice. // a varied selection of furniture

election

noun

i-ˈlek-shən

Definition of election

as in choice

the act or process of selecting the election of a major is something that every college student has to do at some point

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in option

the power, right, or opportunity to choose at the country inn, breakfast in bed is entirely at the election of the guest

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun election contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of election are alternative, choice, option, preference, and selection. While all these words mean "the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen," election implies an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment.

doing a tax return forces certain elections on you

When is it sensible to use alternative instead of election?

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

equally attractive alternatives

When might choice be a better fit than election?

While in some cases nearly identical to election, choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely.

freedom of choice

When would option be a good substitute for election?

The meanings of option and election largely overlap; however, option implies a power to choose that is specifically granted or guaranteed.

the option of paying now or later

When is preference a more appropriate choice than election?

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

a preference for cool weather

When could selection be used to replace election?

The words selection and election can be used in similar contexts, but selection implies a range of choice.

a varied selection of furniture

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 election At the same time, Musk has committed roughly $366 million to the 2026 election cycle across at least 40 races, making the world's richest person the midterms' biggest individual donor so far. — Luke Fountain,lora Kolodny, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026 Five of the past seven presidential elections in Wisconsin have been decided by less than a percentage point. — CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 Brazil’s energy path could change less than environmentalists expect if right-wing candidate Flávio Bolsonaro wins Sunday’s presidential election. — Eugenia Perozo, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026 This includes federal congressional races, a presidential election cycle, and nationwide advocacy campaigns. — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for election

Recent Examples of Synonyms for election

Noun

And per-action authorization proves an instruction was permitted, not that the decision behind it was sound; an agent manipulated into a bad choice within its authority still needs monitoring and human oversight.

— Julian Durand, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
For now, however, Bangladesh’s garment workers—and billions across the Global South—have little choice but to endure given scant signs of relief in oil markets.

— Charlie Campbell, Time, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of choice

Noun

The Royals could also decline All-Star closer Carlos Estévez’s club option.

— Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2026
Ukraine believes security guarantees backed by Western allies are essential to any future settlement, ideally in the form of NATO membership — an option Vladimir Putin has rejected.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of option

Noun

Michael Whatley, the state’s Republican Senate candidate, owes his nomination to Trump; the president continues to invest time, if not much cash, on his behalf.

— Natalie Allison, Washington Post, 20 Oct. 2026
What would be a message to the voters on the Grammy committee as why Dillagence II is deserving of a nomination?

— Preezy Brown, Rolling Stone, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of nomination

Noun

Shares not voted would, in turn, have the same effect as votes against the merger.

— Morgan Chittum, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
Advertisement In our survey, about two-thirds of Americans said a candidate's position on AI could influence their vote in the upcoming Midterm elections, although most acknowledged that other issues matter more.

— Will Johnson, Time, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of vote

Noun

According to reporting by Semafor on Monday, the decision came after Wall Street executives privately raised safety concerns about attending the event with the event’s organizers, including Saudi sovereign fund PIF’s governor, Yasir Al-Rumayyan.

— Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
Prince Harry is opening up about his and wife Meghan Markle’s unexpected decision earlier this year to move back to the United Kingdom years after their dramatic fallout with the British royal family.

— Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of decision

Noun

There are few households in Israel that haven’t been affected in some way by the events that have played out since, leaving a sense of profound grief and insecurity that lingers across the Israeli society.

— Yarden Segev, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026
The second-year fifth-round pick started at the MIKE spot and handled green-dot responsibilities on his way to recording six tackles and being active throughout the night.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of way

Noun

Acaden Lewis looks comfortable at the point Acaden Lewis was second-team All-Big East and an All-Freshman Team selection last season at Villanova.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2026
The native of Plainview, Texas, quickly emerged as one of the most dynamic running backs of the 1970s, earning a Pro Bowl selection and leading the Rams in rushing each year from 1973 to 1977 in coach Chuck Knox’s productive offense.

— Greg Beacham, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of selection

Browse Nearby Words

electing

election

elections

See all Nearby Words

Articles Related to election

Cite this Entry

Style

“Election.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/election. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of election

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

A Briefing on the 'College' in...

'Nail-Biter', 'Battleground State', and...

What's a 'downticket candidate'?

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on election

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes