Roget's Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases by Peter Mark Roget

preoption†; alternative; dilemma, embarras de choix [Fr.]; adoption, cooptation†; novation†; decision &c (judgment) 480. election; political election (politics) 737.1. selection, excerption, gleaning, eclecticism; excerpta†, gleanings, cuttings, scissors and paste; pick &c (best) 650. preference, prelation†, opinion poll, survey; predilection &c (desire) 865. V. offers one's choice, set before; hold out the alternative, present the alternative, offer the alternative; put to the vote. use option, use discretion, exercise option, exercise discretion, one's option; adopt, take up, embrace, espouse; choose, elect, opt for; take one's choice, make one's choice; make choice of, fix upon. vote, poll, hold up one's hand; divide. settle; decide &c (adjudge) 480; list &c (will) 600; make up one's mind &c (resolve) 604. select; pick and choose; pick out, single out; cull, glean, winnow; sift the chaff from the wheat, separate the chaff from the wheat, winnow the chaff from the wheat; pick up, pitch upon; pick one's way; indulge one's fancy. set apart, mark out for; mark &c 550. prefer; have rather, have as lief; fancy &c (desire) 865; be persuaded &c 615. take a decided step, take a decisive step; commit oneself to a course; pass the Rubicon, cross the Rubicon; cast in one's lot with; take for better or for worse. Adj. optional; discretional &c (voluntary) 600. eclectic; choosing &c v.; preferential; chosen &c v.; choice &c (good) 648. Adv. optionally &c adj.; at pleasure &c (will) 600; either the one or the other; or at the option of; whether or not; once and for all; for one's money. by choice, by preference; in preference; rather, before. 609a. Absence of Choice — N. no choice, Hobson's choice; first come first served, random selection; necessity &c 601; not a pin to choose &c (equality) 27; any, the first that comes; that or nothing. neutrality, indifference; indecision &c (irresolution) 605; arbitrariness. coercion (compulsion) 744. V. be neutral &c adj.; have no choice, have no election; waive, not vote; abstain from voting, refrain from voting; leave undecided; make a virtue of necessity [Two Gentlemen]. Adj. neutral, neuter; indifferent, uninterested; undecided &c (irresolute) 605. Adv. either &c (choice) 609. Phr. who cares?, what difference does it make?; There's not a dime's worth of difference between them [George Wallace].