assortative
adjective
as·sor·ta·tive
ə-ˈsȯr-tə-tiv 
: being nonrandom mating based on like or unlike characteristics
Examples of assortative in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But cross-trait assortative mating challenges such inferences.
—
Grace Huckins, WIRED, 12 Dec. 2022
Opposing forces influence assortative mating so that one seeks a similar mate while at the same time avoiding inbreeding with close relatives.
—Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 24 July 2013
Model fits indicate that both pleiotropy and assortative mating contribute significantly and about equally to this genetic correlation.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 11 Apr. 2013
Even taking assortative mating into account, that argument would still appear to hold water.
—Grace Huckins, WIRED, 12 Dec. 2022
What all this amounts to is, in essence, a supercharged version of an existing process known as assortative mating.
—The Economist, 9 Nov. 2019
Thus Facebook is remaking the old world that was governed by social ties, probably reducing any benefits that may have come with less assortative coupling through online dating.
—The Economist, 12 Sep. 2019
Evidence suggests assortative mating is more common, meaning men with money and education now tend to marry women who have those qualities too.
—Allison Schrager, Quartz, 23 July 2019
That high level of assortative mating was massively inflating the heritability estimate.
—Cathleen O'Grady, Ars Technica, 8 Nov. 2018
Grace Huckins, WIRED, 12 Dec. 2022
Opposing forces influence assortative mating so that one seeks a similar mate while at the same time avoiding inbreeding with close relatives.
—Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 24 July 2013
Model fits indicate that both pleiotropy and assortative mating contribute significantly and about equally to this genetic correlation.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 11 Apr. 2013
Even taking assortative mating into account, that argument would still appear to hold water.
—Grace Huckins, WIRED, 12 Dec. 2022
What all this amounts to is, in essence, a supercharged version of an existing process known as assortative mating.
—The Economist, 9 Nov. 2019
Thus Facebook is remaking the old world that was governed by social ties, probably reducing any benefits that may have come with less assortative coupling through online dating.
—The Economist, 12 Sep. 2019
Evidence suggests assortative mating is more common, meaning men with money and education now tend to marry women who have those qualities too.
—Allison Schrager, Quartz, 23 July 2019
That high level of assortative mating was massively inflating the heritability estimate.
—Cathleen O'Grady, Ars Technica, 8 Nov. 2018
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'assortative.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1895, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near assortative
Cite this Entry
“Assortative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assortative. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Medical Definition
assortative
adjective
as·sor·ta·tive
ə-ˈsȯrt-ət-iv
: being nonrandom mating based on like or unlike characteristics
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