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
The large transfer of public funds to more privatized schooling options such as charters occurred despite limited evidence of improved performance by charters, selective enrollment policies and ongoing concerns about their use of public funds.
—
Julia McWilliams, The Conversation, 4 June 2026
Elsewhere, Inditex continues to move ahead with its ongoing retail revamp strategy, focusing on refurbishments, relocations and selective new openings.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 3 June 2026
Others report that multi-brand stores have been less effective for their businesses, leading them to prioritize independent retail spaces and selective online offerings.
—Malana Vantyler, Miami Herald, 3 June 2026
Alabama is being more selective and is expected to have a smaller class after signing 48 high school recruits combined in DeBoer’s first two years on the job.
—Grace Raynor, New York Times, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for selective
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Julia McWilliams, The Conversation, 4 June 2026
Elsewhere, Inditex continues to move ahead with its ongoing retail revamp strategy, focusing on refurbishments, relocations and selective new openings.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 3 June 2026
Others report that multi-brand stores have been less effective for their businesses, leading them to prioritize independent retail spaces and selective online offerings.
—Malana Vantyler, Miami Herald, 3 June 2026
Alabama is being more selective and is expected to have a smaller class after signing 48 high school recruits combined in DeBoer’s first two years on the job.
—Grace Raynor, New York Times, 2 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 6 Jun. 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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