as in choosing
to come to a judgment about after discussion or consideration
after that near catastrophe, they opted to reinstate the telephone service
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Recent Examples of opting
While others sneak photos of Newsom, a cluster of New York Times reporters just feet away are opting to forgo watching the governor hold court —and are instead watching the Lakers do so.
—
Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 25 Apr. 2026
At the gala, Shepherd will celebrate the Gulf, but with a little bit of a curveball, opting to show off the great beef raised in the region instead of the seafood its known for.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 24 Apr. 2026
The writers guild has been laser-focused on this deal since March, opting to square that away before western division executives presumably turn their attention back to the WGA West’s striking staff.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2026
But as the session continued, that goal shifted, with lawmakers opting to regulate facial recognition software use rather than ban it outright.
—P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 24 Apr. 2026
Rather than opting for the fine dining Lau is famed for, here the menu is more casual, focusing on the comforting flavors of Southwest China and Yunnan.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
The Fed is also concerned about companies opting to scale back on hiring to offset these rising costs, potentially jeopardizing the labor market.
—Arkansas Online, 11 Apr. 2026
Some are opting simply to not reenlist or to retire early.
—Tom Bowman, NPR, 10 Apr. 2026
Instead, people are opting for more meaningful, high-impact pieces made from this precious metal.
—Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 10 Apr. 2026
Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 25 Apr. 2026
At the gala, Shepherd will celebrate the Gulf, but with a little bit of a curveball, opting to show off the great beef raised in the region instead of the seafood its known for.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 24 Apr. 2026
The writers guild has been laser-focused on this deal since March, opting to square that away before western division executives presumably turn their attention back to the WGA West’s striking staff.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2026
But as the session continued, that goal shifted, with lawmakers opting to regulate facial recognition software use rather than ban it outright.
—P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 24 Apr. 2026
Rather than opting for the fine dining Lau is famed for, here the menu is more casual, focusing on the comforting flavors of Southwest China and Yunnan.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
The Fed is also concerned about companies opting to scale back on hiring to offset these rising costs, potentially jeopardizing the labor market.
—Arkansas Online, 11 Apr. 2026
Some are opting simply to not reenlist or to retire early.
—Tom Bowman, NPR, 10 Apr. 2026
Instead, people are opting for more meaningful, high-impact pieces made from this precious metal.
—Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 10 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opting
Verb
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For Suggs, choosing basketball over football was an excruciating decision.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
By choosing sustainable options and participating in recycling programs, pilgrims can ensure that their journey of faith also respects the sanctity of the natural world.—
FMG Studios,
Footwear News,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Consult with two or three other legal representatives before deciding whom to use.—
Albinson Linares,
NBC news,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Brown, however, opted against inserting McBride into the starting lineup, instead deciding to stick with Bridges, who is averaging just seven points on 25% shooting from 3-point range this series.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Working with the Calling All Dreamers advisors, Christine Wonderson is figuring how to break the business down into more achievable chunks, rather than trying to do everything at once.—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Tanner Scott and Blake Treinen will need to step up, with Alex Vesia also figuring to factor into Roberts’ late-inning plans.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Opting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opting. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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