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
Lim explained that the fluid, unlike carbon or other refining agents, is extremely selective and never comes into contact with the rest of the wine.
—
Nicola Twilley, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
The techniques of repression have become so refined that, as in Iran thus far, popular uprisings have been suppressed by efficient riot control and selective arrests and murders.
—Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 4 Jan. 2026
Another study clarified this by showing that readers of print media exhibit more selective and intentional reading behavior.
—Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026
The 8-speed automatic transmission was smooth and crisp, while the five selective drive modes ensured fun for every driving style.
—Marc D Grasso, Hartford Courant, 3 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for selective
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Nicola Twilley, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
The techniques of repression have become so refined that, as in Iran thus far, popular uprisings have been suppressed by efficient riot control and selective arrests and murders.
—Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 4 Jan. 2026
Another study clarified this by showing that readers of print media exhibit more selective and intentional reading behavior.
—Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026
The 8-speed automatic transmission was smooth and crisp, while the five selective drive modes ensured fun for every driving style.
—Marc D Grasso, Hartford Courant, 3 Jan. 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 6 Jan. 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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