SELECTIVE Synonyms: 17 Similar and Opposite Words

selective

adjective

sə-ˈlek-tiv

Definition of selective

as in particular

tending to select carefully we were highly selective about the music we listened to while trying out loudspeakers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of selective Teachers and parents hold memories, but are selective — depending on student age — on what to share with children and pupils. — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026 Chelsea’s less selective approach to selling within the Premier League means Arsenal have sent £149million to their fellow Londoners, more than to any other domestic rivals. — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026 Finally, China will remain a selective market for Canada, both in terms of sourcing and exports, given sensitivities around national security and overcapacity. — Barrett Bingley, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2026 Vanadium, in particular, can interact with the same chemical sites used to capture uranium, making selective extraction difficult. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for selective

Recent Examples of Synonyms for selective

Adjective

There is a particular sort of helplessness that comes from knowing exactly how to fix a computer while being hundreds of miles away from it.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Sep. 2026
The speech is also a kind of litmus test for translators and adaptors, an opportunity for a politically progressive character to let rip not simply against general human hypocrisy but against the particular sins of a moment.

— Sara Holdren, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of particular

Adjective

Schumann has seen how Dan Lanning was choosy and didn’t leave a good situation until a job the caliber of Oregon came into the picture.

— Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
And because Imax is not actively seeking a sale, simply entertaining offers, its executives can afford to be choosey.

— Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of choosy

Adjective

That being said, those in the chip sector looking for partners are getting increasingly picky, with finance not always among their top preferences.

— Justina Lee,Lisa Kim, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2026
Considering the world of options there are out there, some picky people take years to find the perfect sofa.

— Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of picky

Browse Nearby Words

selections

selective

selectively

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Style

“Selective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/selective. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of selective

adjective

Example Sentences

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