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
Her entire career is built on the selective prosecution of one man!
—
Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Those include claims that the prosecutor who secured the charges wasn't legitimately appointed, that the prosecution is selective and vindictive, that the grand jury process was abusive, and that the government has behaved outrageously.
—Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 9 Oct. 2025
The bacterial enzymes responsible for breaking down plastic—depolymerases—are selective.
—Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2025
The world of Bronx Science—a selective public school of some three thousand students, many of them the children of working-class immigrants—differed dramatically from the affluent intellectual milieu of Mamdani’s childhood.
—Eric Lach, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for selective
Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Those include claims that the prosecutor who secured the charges wasn't legitimately appointed, that the prosecution is selective and vindictive, that the grand jury process was abusive, and that the government has behaved outrageously.
—Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 9 Oct. 2025
The bacterial enzymes responsible for breaking down plastic—depolymerases—are selective.
—Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2025
The world of Bronx Science—a selective public school of some three thousand students, many of them the children of working-class immigrants—differed dramatically from the affluent intellectual milieu of Mamdani’s childhood.
—Eric Lach, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for selective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for selective
Adjective
-
Calls to reject the institutional mystique of the Supreme Court in particular have been growing louder across the political spectrum.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Running in particular has become Gen Z’s latest fixation, and many see the activity as a way to connect with others while also staying fit.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
LinkedIn's algorithm is choosy.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Known for being among the choosiest of the choosy buildings and the longtime home of Henry Kissinger, whose sprawling duplex, full of green upholstery and black candles — very Sister Parish — has yet to come on the market since his death.—
Kim Velsey,
Curbed,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
From minimalist gold styles to louder ones punctuated by pearls and diamonds, even the pickiest of fashion insiders can find a pair of huggie earrings that not only complements but enhances their favorite ‘fit.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
13 Oct. 2025
-
At the same time, many sellers are not accommodating the concerns of would-be buyers, who have become pickier and are seeking more concessions.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This one, for example, has fun detailing on the sleeves and a nice roomy fit that looks as comfortable as a sweatshirt.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Bills come due, eventually, in every sense, though reported name, image and likeness earnings nearing $2 million at Utah are a nice buffer.—
Brian Hamilton,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Selective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/selective. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share