election

noun

i-ˈlek-shən How to pronounce election (audio)
Definition of electionnext
1
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
2
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 Remember when DeSantis declared that Florida pulled off the most secure election in the country in 2020? —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2025 In the past two elections, however, Chicago voters elevated amateurs to the mayor’s office, with no management experience and minor political histories. —Forrest Claypool, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025 The race, with the assist from Musk, has become the most expensive judicial election in American history, with more than $81 million in spending. —CBS News, 31 Mar. 2025 In presidential elections held last September, Wickremasinghe was handily defeated by Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who despite his Marxist revolutionary credentials has continued to implement reforms, and complied with IMF conditions in exchange for financial support. —Vasuki Shastry, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for election
Recent Examples of Synonyms for election
  1. choice
  2. option
  3. nomination
  4. vote
  5. decision
  6. way
  7. selection
Noun
  • The committee is now in the final stage of the selection process for the new child advocate and will send three finalists’ names to the governor, who will make the final choice.
    — Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 16 Mar. 2025
  • An extensive park with pools makes this an excellent choice for families, and private tours of the Borromeo Islands depart from the hotel’s boat dock.
    — Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of choice
Noun
  • But top online sportsbook BetOnline offers Masters Props and specials with group betting options on golfers by country, former Masters champions, top LIV Golfer along with top left-handed golfer, with odds below along with (odds) to win the Masters.
    — Jay Ginsbach, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • This foldable tripod chair, $33, is a great option and fulfills these requirements.
    — Jillian Dara, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of option
Noun
  • His work in Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain (2005) scored him an Academy Award nomination.
    — Randall Colburn, EW.com, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Lining up Several Republicans are seeking their party’s nomination to challenge Moskowitz.
    — Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of nomination
Noun
  • But after more than 40,000 additional mail-in ballots yet to be counted were tallied and announced Friday, Lee went ahead of Taylor by about 5 points, or nearly 5,000 votes.
    — Jared Gans, The Hill, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Once their team loses three head-to-head votes, though, neither can win.
    — Caroline Framke, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of vote
Noun
  • In a letter to the Trump administration, Blumenthal sought an accounting of how many visas have been revoked, the reasons cited for each one, and whether students were afforded due process to contest the decision.
    — Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • This means the board will generally have a wide view from different sources of what the value of a deal should be worth and make a decision based on that.
    — Matt Slater, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of decision
Noun
  • Credit to Mattice for stepping up but there's nobody at 130 pounds getting in my way.
    — Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The best way to prevent type 2 diabetes is to shift toward a healthier lifestyle.
    — Julia Ries, Health, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of way
Noun
  • From cozy shearling to leopard print, Scandi labels, and a sprinkling of The Row, Lawrence sees herself through the seasons and elements in a various but curated selection of outerwear.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 10 Apr. 2025
  • In the Out of Competition selection, there’s Rebecca Zlotowski’s Vie Privée with Jodie Foster and Daniel Auteuil; and Thierry Klifa’s The Richest Woman in the World with Isabelle Huppert.
    — Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of selection

Browse Nearby Words

electing
election
elections
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Election.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/election. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on election

Nglish: Translation of election for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about election

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

'Blue Moon,' 'Wolf Moon,' and Other Moons to Look for Throughout the Year
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
name that thing flower edition
Name That Flower Can you tell the difference between a lilac and a...
See All