opt out

7 synonyms and 4 antonyms for opt out, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Verb — To choose not to take part in something you would otherwise be included in automatically.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

decline

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

withdraw exemption exclusion waiver

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

pull out unsubscribe

Synonyms by Meaning

1. verb

To choose not to take part in something you would otherwise be included in automatically.

“You are enrolled in the pension by default, but you can opt out at any time.”

withdraw decline pull out unsubscribe

Opposites

opt in enrol sign up

2. noun

An arrangement or clause that lets a party avoid a rule, agreement or default that would otherwise apply to them. Usually written opt-out.

“The UK negotiated an opt-out from the single currency.”

exemption exclusion waiver

Opposites

opt-in

3. adjective

Describing a system in which people are included by default and must actively ask to be excluded. Written opt-out.

“The country moved to an opt-out organ donation register in 2020.”

Opposites

opt-in

How to use opt out

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

opt out of marketing emails opt-out clause opt-out rate the right to opt out

Neutral; common in legal, policy and consumer contexts.

Etymology

From opt, via French opter from Latin optare 'to choose', plus the particle out.

Full origin of opt out →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between opt out and opt in?

Opt in means nothing happens unless you actively say yes; opt out means it happens automatically unless you actively say no. Opt-out schemes produce far higher participation, which is why they are used for pensions and organ donation and why data-protection law restricts them for marketing.

Is it opt out or opt-out?

Use two words for the verb, as in 'you can opt out today', and a hyphen for the noun and the adjective, as in 'an opt-out clause' or 'an opt-out system'.

Can you opt out of automatic pension enrolment?

In schemes with automatic enrolment you normally can, within a set window after being enrolled, by telling the scheme provider rather than your employer. Opting out means giving up the employer's contribution as well as your own, so it is rarely to your financial advantage.

People also searched

decline withdraw exclusion exemption waiver unsubscribe enrol

Nearby words

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