Synonyms for alternative
ɔlˈtɜr nə tɪv, æl-al·ter·na·tive

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:3.0 / 2 votes

1. alternative

   A choice may be among many things; an alternative is in the strictest sense a choice between two things; oftener it is one of two things between which a choice is to be made, and either of which is the alternative of the other; as, the alternative of surrender is death; or the two things between which there is a choice may be called the alternatives; both Mill and Gladstone are quoted as extending the meaning of alternative to include several particulars, Gladstone even speaking of "the fourth and last of these alternatives." Option is the right or privilege of choosing; choice may be either the right to choose, the act of choosing, or the thing chosen. A person of ability and readiness will commonly have many resources. Pick, from the Saxon, and election, from the Latin, picture the objects before one, with freedom and power to choose which he will; as, there were twelve horses, among which I could take my pick. A choice, pick, election, or preference is that which suits one best; an alternative is that to which one is restricted; a resource, that to which one is glad to betake oneself.

   Synonyms:
   choice, election, option, pick, preference, resource

   Antonyms:
   compulsion, necessity

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:1.0 / 1 vote

1. alternative

   Synonyms:
   choice, resource, opinion

   Antonyms:
   compulsion, quandary, necessity, fix

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:1.5 / 2 votes

1. option, alternative, choiceadjective

   one of a number of things from which only one can be chosen

   "what option did I have?"; "there no other alternative"; "my only choice is to refuse"

   Synonyms:
   choice, selection, option, pick

   Antonyms:
   conjunctive, conventional, primary

2. alternate, alternative, substituteadjective

   serving or used in place of another

   "an alternative plan"

   Synonyms:
   alternate, alternating(a), utility(a), ersatz, alternate(a), substitute(a), substitute

   Antonyms:
   conventional, primary, conjunctive

3. alternativeadjective

   necessitating a choice between mutually exclusive possibilities

   "alternative possibilities were neutrality or war"

   Synonyms:
   substitute, alternate

   Antonyms:
   conventional, primary, conjunctive

4. alternativeadjective

   pertaining to unconventional choices

   "an alternative life style"

   Synonyms:
   substitute, alternate

   Antonyms:
   primary, conjunctive, conventional

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. alternativenoun

   Synonyms:
   choice (between two things)

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:5.0 / 1 vote

1. List of paraphrases for "alternative":

   alternatives, alternate, variant, replacement, shadow, option, substitute, substitution, other, spare, alternativo, alternativa, surrogate, parallel, reciprocating, choice, different, solution, alternativas, alternating, makeshift, tabbed, choices, replace, various, workaround, lieu

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How to use alternative in a sentence?

1. Robert Dunham:

   Every time someone introduces a new method of execution, they make the same argument: 'Trust me. It will be quick. It will be painless. It is the most humane alternative,' they have a political or commercial interest in the outcome. And they haven't done any real medical or scientific research to back up their claims. And in every instance, sooner or later, something they didn't anticipate goes wrong.

2. Tom Hanks:

   Its not an agenda, theres no strategy to it, i worked briefly with Keanu [Reeves], he has a wonderful answer to this question: How is it to be so well regarded? He says Well its preferable to the alternative, which is true.

3. Alan Johnson:

   Virtually all financial services industry segments, including investment banking, asset management and alternative investments are performing at record levels, this, in turn, will translate into incentive award increases we haven't seen in the industry since before the Great Recession.

4. Rufus Gifford:

   People like to support a winner, as the moderate lane starts to understand Joe Biden is the best alternative, they will coalesce around him.

5. House Speaker Paul Ryan:

   Our No. 1 goal for the next year is to put together a complete alternative to the left's agenda.