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
Key grocery staples such as produce and dairy are pricier than last year, so experts say shoppers should be selective, starting with these five items that are rarely a good deal in bulk.
—
Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 28 Nov. 2025
Shoppers, facing financial challenges and macroeconomic uncertainties, are more selective and strategic than ever, researching products online and avoiding an impulsive, last-minute shopping dash for gifts.
—David Moin, Footwear News, 26 Nov. 2025
Their latest feature comes as Uruguay has seen an increase in production output, local and international, thanks to its selective fund of $1 million for national projects, and a cash rebate fund offering $12 million in reimbursements for co-productions and international production services.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 24 Nov. 2025
The Justice Department has denied that the prosecution was vindictive or selective and insists that the allegations support the indictment.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for selective
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Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 28 Nov. 2025
Shoppers, facing financial challenges and macroeconomic uncertainties, are more selective and strategic than ever, researching products online and avoiding an impulsive, last-minute shopping dash for gifts.
—David Moin, Footwear News, 26 Nov. 2025
Their latest feature comes as Uruguay has seen an increase in production output, local and international, thanks to its selective fund of $1 million for national projects, and a cash rebate fund offering $12 million in reimbursements for co-productions and international production services.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 24 Nov. 2025
The Justice Department has denied that the prosecution was vindictive or selective and insists that the allegations support the indictment.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for selective
Cite this Entry
“Selective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/selective. Accessed 4 Dec. 2025.
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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