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
Despite taking cost-saving actions, including a selective hiring freeze for non-uniformed positions, overtime restrictions, spending reductions, and travel suspensions, General Fund expenses still outpace revenue.
—
Briauna Brown,
CBS News,
30 June 2026
The results suggest that buyers remain highly selective rather than indiscriminately bullish.
—
Daniel Cassady,
ARTnews.com,
30 June 2026
Broadly speaking, luddites are those opposed to new technologies, while selective luddites embrace technology on their terms.
—
Barnaby Lashbrooke,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
The membrane, made from porous polyacrylonitrile (PAN), eliminates the need for ultrathin selective coatings traditionally required for molecular separation.
—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for selective
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Briauna Brown,
CBS News,
30 June 2026
The results suggest that buyers remain highly selective rather than indiscriminately bullish.
—
Daniel Cassady,
ARTnews.com,
30 June 2026
Broadly speaking, luddites are those opposed to new technologies, while selective luddites embrace technology on their terms.
—
Barnaby Lashbrooke,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
The membrane, made from porous polyacrylonitrile (PAN), eliminates the need for ultrathin selective coatings traditionally required for molecular separation.
—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
29 June 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 5 Jul. 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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