selective
adjective
se·lec·tive
sə-ˈlek-tiv 
2
: highly specific in activity or effect
selective pesticides
selective absorption
Synonyms of selective
Examples of selective in a Sentence
The club is selective in choosing members.
The college has a highly selective admissions process.
Recent Examples on the Web
Much of the conversation around potential risks has centered on selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors, which are known as SSRIs and are the most prescribed class of antidepressants.
—
Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
That said, the market is pretty idiosyncratic, so investors should be selective.
—Michelle Fox, CNBC, 13 May 2026
China’s foreign policy in Asia combines economic integration with selective coercion, deployed in varying proportions depending on the country and context.
—Yu Jie, Time, 13 May 2026
Growth was largely value‑driven, with dollar growth outpacing units, reflecting both premiumization and selective consumer spending, the report showed.
—Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for selective
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Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
That said, the market is pretty idiosyncratic, so investors should be selective.
—Michelle Fox, CNBC, 13 May 2026
China’s foreign policy in Asia combines economic integration with selective coercion, deployed in varying proportions depending on the country and context.
—Yu Jie, Time, 13 May 2026
Growth was largely value‑driven, with dollar growth outpacing units, reflecting both premiumization and selective consumer spending, the report showed.
—Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for selective
Cite this Entry
“Selective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/selective. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
selective
adjective
se·lec·tive
sə-ˈlek-tiv
: of or relating to selection : selecting or tending to select
selective shoppers
Medical Definition
selective
adjective
se·lec·tive
sə-ˈlek-tiv
2
: highly specific in activity or effect
selective pesticides
selective permeability of a plasma membrane
selectively
adverb
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