Alternative Synonyms | Uses & Example Sentences
Alternative is a noun that means “another possibility” and an adjective that means “related to another possibility” or “nontraditional.”
Some synonyms for alternative are:
- Option
- Choice
- Substitute
- Replacement
- Possibility
- Alternate
- Different
- Other
- Unconventional
- Nonconformist
- Unorthodox
- Revolutionary
- Nonmainstream
Synonyms for alternative
When alternative means “another possibility,” some synonyms are better suited to replace it than others. For example, “option” is an overall good replacement. On the other hand, “proxy” is a less precise synonym given that it refers to a person or thing acting on behalf of another.
Match | Synonym | Alternative example | Synonym example |
---|---|---|---|
Strongest | Option | The council will consider all alternatives before making a decision. | The council will consider all options before making a decision. |
Choice | We have several new alternatives on the dessert menu. | We have several new choices on the dessert menu. | |
Substitute | I had no milk at home, so I had to find an alternative for the recipe. | I had no milk at home, so I had to find a substitute for the recipe. | |
Strong | Replacement | Audiobooks are an interesting alternative to printed books. | Audiobooks are an interesting replacement for printed books. |
Possibility | There is another alternative we haven’t explored yet. | There is another possibility we haven’t explored yet. | |
Weak | Backup | I keep an alternative just in case. | I keep a backup just in case. |
Proxy | The committee suggested appointing an alternative to represent the absent member at the meeting. | The committee suggested appointing a proxy to represent the absent member at the meeting. |
The same goes for when alternative means “related to another possibility.” “Alternate” can mean the same, which makes it one of the strongest synonyms of alternative. In contrast, “second” is a weak synonym because it specifically refers to the number two in some type of sequence, while alternative does not necessarily imply this.
Match | Synonym | Alternative example | Synonym example |
---|---|---|---|
Strongest | Alternate | The alternative route is longer but less congested. | The alternate route is longer but less congested. |
Different | There are alternative methods for resolving disputes. | There are different methods for resolving disputes. | |
Other | I’d like to see alternative models before buying this specific vacuum. | I’d like to see other models before buying this specific vacuum. | |
Strong | Optional | The alternative stances are neutrality and war. | The optional stances are neutrality and war. |
Additional | That video game is famous for having various alternative endings. | That video game is famous for having various additional endings. | |
Weak | Second | The alternative summer reading option is The Grapes of Wrath. | The second summer reading option is The Grapes of Wrath. |
- Use alternative when referring to two or more possibilities (e.g., “there is an alternative solution”).
- Use “alternate” when referring to something that takes turns (e.g., “alternate days”) or something that replaces another (e.g., “the alternate Macbeth in the play”).
Sometimes, both options are correct. “An alternative route” and “an alternate route” both work because you can see the route as either another possibility or a replacement.
“Alternate” can also be a verb (e.g., “we alternate walking the dog”), but alternative cannot.
A QuillBot grammar check can help make sure you’re using these words correctly.
When alternative means “nontraditional,” the strongest synonyms carry the same connotation of breaking with tradition. Weak synonyms, like “uncommon,” simply mean that something is out of the ordinary.
Match | Synonym | Alternative example | Synonym example |
---|---|---|---|
Strongest | Unconventional | Raffaela has an alternative fashion sense. | Raffaela has an unconventional fashion sense. |
Nonconformist | She is part of an alternative community that lives off the grid. | She is part of a nonconformist community that lives off the grid. | |
Unorthodox | Reiki is an alternative treatment method. | Reiki is an unorthodox treatment method. | |
Revolutionary | The company is known for its alternative workflow. | The company is known for its revolutionary workflow. | |
Nonmainstream | The movie offered an alternative perspective on classic fairy tales. | The movie offered a nonmainstream perspective on classic fairy tales. | |
Strong | Pioneering | The architect embraced alternative designs in the city’s new skyline. | The architect embraced pioneering designs in the city’s new skyline. |
Offbeat | The alternative music festival featured underground bands. | The offbeat music festival featured underground bands. | |
Avant-garde | This museum celebrates alternative art. | This museum celebrates avant-garde art. | |
Weak | Unusual | His alternative lifestyle choices often raised eyebrows. | His unusual lifestyle choices often raised eyebrows. |
Uncommon | Mara went for an alternative look, dying her blonde hair neon green. | Mara went for an uncommon look, dying her blonde hair neon green. |
Frequently asked questions about alternative synonyms
- What’s an antonym for alternative?
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Some antonyms for alternative are:
- Necessity
- Requirement
- Obligation
- Required
- Obligatory
- Traditional
- Conventional
- Conformist
Use QuillBot’s Grammar Checker to make sure you use these antonyms correctly in context.
- What’s the meaning of alternative?
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“Alternative” is a noun that means “another possibility” and an adjective that means “related to another possibility” or “nontraditional.”
For example:
- Biking is an alternative to driving.
- There are alternative solutions to explore.
- She loves alternative rock music.
A few synonyms for alternative are “option,” “choice,” “alternate,” “different,” “unconventional,” and “nonconformist.”
QuillBot’s Grammar Checker can make sure you use this word and others correctly in your writing.
- What is a synonym for alternate?
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Synonyms for the adjective alternate include:
- Every other
- Alternating
- Staggered
- Substitute
- Alternative
Synonyms for the verb alternate include:
- Change
- Switch
- Take turns
- Rotate
- Oscillate
On a related note, if you’re not sure whether the word you need is alternate or alternative, we normally use “alternative” when the meaning is the opposite of “mainstream” (e.g., “alternative music”).
Why not use QuillBot’s free Paraphraser to help you find the best synonym for “alternate” in your specific context?
- What’s the definition of alternate?
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The definition of “alternate” depends on how the word is working in the sentence:
- As a verb, “alternate” means “to take turns” (e.g., “I alternate going to the office and working from home”).
- As an adjective, “alternate” means “every other” (e.g., “alternate colors”) or “replacing” (e.g., “let’s take an alternate route”).
- As a noun, “alternate” means “a replacement” (e.g., “the alternate Ophelia in the play”).
The noun and adjective definitions of “alternate” sometimes overlap with those of alternative, which means “another possibility” or related to such.
A QuillBot grammar check can make sure you’re using “alternate,” “alternative,” and other similar words correctly in your writing.