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 In 1965, Fred Rohé took over San Francisco’s Sunset Health Foods, an early natural-food retailer, while Berkeley Bowl, which opened in 1977, became an institution for its expansive produce selection and mix of natural and hard-to-find foods. — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026 The company says its equipment selection and technical support helped sustain a construction pace of one floor every five days for the main structure. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026 Make your selection Which of Charlotte’s classic restaurants speak to your heart? — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026 Experts also raise questions about the lack of transparency in the selection process. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for selection

Recent Examples of Synonyms for selection

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 party has a long history of manipulating stock prices to ensure punters make money on their bets, or at least limit their losses.

— Andy Browne, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2026
The new ban comes after multiple NBA players were targeted in federal investigations involving bets on their individual performances.

— Josh Appel, Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of bet

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

As title sponsor of the WTA’s flagship event, Fage will have brand visibility across broadcast and venue, product sampling, fan experiences and hospitality at the WTA Finals.

— Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Tissue sampling is helping patients choose better treatments.

— Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of sampling

Noun

There are rippling gasps, drums, strings, sax, a vaguely Latin guitar, a sample of a woman talking about getting her hair done.

— Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026
Scammers can lift voice samples from videos people casually post on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.

— Muskaan Arshad, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of sample

Browse Nearby Words

selecting

selection

selections

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

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Synonyms of selection

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

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