All words

opt

Meaning

To make a selection from available alternatives, typically by exercise of free will.

Examples by difficulty

Basic: Simple, everyday vocabulary — the easiest to read.

She felt tired, but the pizza place was closed. She could make sandwiches, or she could go to the diner for a burger. She decided to opt for the diner. It felt like a good choice, even if it meant a longer walk.

The last shard of sunlight warmed Elara’s face. Below, two paths twisted into the Whispering Woods. One led to the known safety of the village, the other to the rumored bioluminescent grottos. She had to choose, to opt for her future.

The old robot whirred, its optical sensors flickering. Before it lay two paths: one lit and clear, the other shrouded in shadow. It had to choose. With a clank, it began to opt for the darker way, a strange hum of anticipation vibrating through its circuits.

Barnaby had to opt between the exploding confetti cannon or the giant inflatable banana. He thought about it, wiggled his nose, and then, with a shrug that shook his whole body, chose the banana. It seemed less likely to get stuck in his mustache.

Bartholomew the badger, a renowned sock sorter, had a tough decision. He could opt for stripes or polka dots. He squinted at the laundry pile. Stripes felt too serious for Tuesday. He'd opt for the bouncy polka dots, naturally.

Normal: Standard, everyday language.

After hours of debate, my family had to opt for the less expensive vacation package. No one was thrilled, but with our budget, it was the only choice we could realistically make.

The bioluminescent algae pulsed, a thousand tiny sparks against the blackness. She had to choose: dive into the warm currents or stay with the freezing surface. She took a deep breath, her fingers tracing the condensation on the viewport, and decided to opt for the deeper, unknown glow.

The air in the bio-regulator lab was thick with ozone. After weeks of cultivating the symbiotic fungal strains, the final phase was upon them. They had to choose: introduce the high-yield variant that risked uncontrolled growth, or opt for the slower, stable strain. The fate of the entire lunar harvest hung in the balance.

Faced with a buffet of questionable alien cuisine, Bartholomew decided to opt for the shimmering goo, figuring anything that vibrated that violently couldn't be *that* bad. He was, of course, spectacularly wrong.

When faced with the existential dread of choosing between interpretive dance class or advanced competitive cheese rolling, one must bravely opt for their chosen path. My uncle, a renowned snail groomer, decided to opt for the cheese rolling, believing it offered more dynamic protein opportunities.

Advanced: Richer vocabulary that stretches an upper-level reader.

After a grueling interview, they offered him two positions. One was stable but dull, the other risky but exciting. He knew he had to opt for the path that truly energized him, even if it meant facing uncertainty.

The old man sat with his worn ledger, a deep sigh escaping his lips. He could opt for the quiet comfort of his small village, but the lure of the uncharted tundras, the chance to discover new lichen species, was too potent to ignore. He chose the adventure.

Facing the crumbling derelict starship, she had to opt for the risky maneuver, a desperate choice between dwindling oxygen and an unknown jump. No other path offered hope.

Barry surveyed the cafeteria's dubious offerings. He could opt for the suspiciously green "mystery meat" or the limp, unenthusiastic salad. With a theatrical sigh, he chose to opt for the salad, figuring at least it wouldn't try to escape the plate.

Barnaby surveyed the dazzling array of artisanal pickled gherkins, each boasting a distinct vinegar-to-herb ratio. He had to opt for the dill-infused variety, or risk eternal regret and a distinctly suboptimal sandwich. This momentous decision required profound contemplation.

Challenging: Rare, high-register vocabulary for serious word lovers.

Feeling overwhelmed by conflicting obligations, she had to opt for the lesser of two evils, a difficult decision requiring deliberate choice from several unappealing paths. It was agonizing to concede, but she selected the one that minimized immediate fallout.

After weeks of meticulous deliberation, scrutinizing every conceivable permutation of the quantum entanglement matrix, Elara knew she had to opt for the less stable, but ultimately more potent, chroniton field stabilization. The fate of the nascent temporal anomaly hinged entirely on her solitary choice amongst the competing theoretical frameworks.

After the arduous negotiation with the nebulous syndicate, Elara could finally opt for one of two precarious paths: utter capitulation or a defiant, albeit suicidal, gambit that promised scant recompense. She loathed both outcomes, yet a choice was inevitable.

Bereft of any semblance of logical discernment, Bartholomew decided to opt for the truly colossal, polka-dotted sombrero, despite a veritable cornucopia of more demure, yet still resplendent, millinery options. He reasoned it would facilitate his eventual assimilation into a clandestine society of intergalactic mariachi musicians.

The perpetually befuddled ornithologist, confronted with a phantasmagoria of avian impostors, had to bravely opt from the spectral pigeon and the iridescent, but ultimately fictitious, dodo. His sanity, a fragile edifice, depended on correctly identifying which feathered specter offered the most savory, albeit imaginary, artisanal breadcrumb.

Difficulty

Basic — Common words most learners already know.

Appears in

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