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View synonyms for

alternative

[awl-tur-nuh-tiv, al-]

noun

  1. a choice limited to one of two or more possibilities, as of things, propositions, or courses of action, the selection of which precludes any other possibility.

    You have the alternative of riding or walking.

    Synonyms: ,
  2. one of the things, propositions, or courses of action that can be chosen.

    The alternative to riding is walking.

  3. a possible or remaining course or choice.

    There was no alternative but to walk.



adjective

  1. affording a choice of two or more things, propositions, or courses of action.

  2. (of two things, propositions, or courses) mutually exclusive so that if one is chosen the other must be rejected.

    The alternative possibilities are neutrality and war.

  3. employing or following nontraditional or unconventional ideas, methods, etc.; existing outside the establishment.

    an alternative newspaper; alternative lifestyles.

  4. Logic.(of a proposition) asserting two or more choices, at least one of which is true.

alternative

/ ɔːˈɜːəɪ /

noun

  1. a possibility of choice, esp between two things, courses of action, etc

  2. either of such choices

    we took the alternative of walking

“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

adjective

  1. presenting a choice, esp between two possibilities only

  2. (of two things) mutually exclusive

  3. denoting a lifestyle, culture, art form, etc, regarded by its adherents as preferable to that of contemporary society because it is less conventional, materialistic, or institutionalized, and, often, more in harmony with nature

  4. logic another word for disjunctive

“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
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Other Word Forms

  • alternatively adverb
  • alternativeness noun
  • alternativity noun
  • quasi-alternative adjective
  • ˈٱԲپ adverb
  • ˈٱԲپԱ noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of alternative1

First recorded in 1580–90; alternate + -ive
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Synonym Study

See choice.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Following the chancellor's Spending Review, there had been some confusion over what that alternative accommodation might be.

From

Both the UK and Scottish governments have pledged millions of pounds to support the site, while the results of a £1.5m feasibility study - looking at potential low-carbon alternative uses - was published in March.

From

But Israel - which has long sought to remove the UN as the major humanitarian provider to Palestinians - argues the alternative system was needed to stop Hamas stealing aid.

From

After exhausting virtually all their other starting pitching alternatives to this point, the Dodgers are finally entrusting Ben Casparius with a starting role.

From

Israel's desired outcome seems to be an uprising that ends with a friendly force taking over, but a major question here is who might be the alternative?

From

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alternation of generationsalternative conjunction