Synonyms of select

select 1 of 2

verb

as in to choose

to decide to accept (someone or something) from a group of possibilities

selected only two people out of 300 applicants for the summer internship

Synonyms & Similar Words

• choose
• pick
• take
• elect
• prefer
• name
• designate
• tag
• handpick
• cull
• opt (for)
• single (out)
• cherry-pick
• nominate
• tap
• appoint
• accept
• preselect
• adopt
• tab
• set
• mark
• embrace
• settle (on or upon)
• espouse
• fix

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• refuse
• reject
• decline
• turn down
• negative
• disapprove
• discard
• repudiate
• throw away
• throw out
• spurn
• jettison

select

2 of 2

adjective

sə-ˈlekt 

1

as in selected

singled out from a number or group as more to one's liking

the company claims to use only select beans to make its coffee

Synonyms & Similar Words

• selected
• preferred
• favorite
• chosen
• elect
• favored
• picked
• choice
• handpicked
• of choice
• first-line
• cherry-picked
• fashionable
• exclusive
• screened
• culled
• weeded (out)
• picked over
• winnowed (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• common
• average
• ordinary
• commonplace
• run-of-the-mill

2

as in elegant

having qualities that appeal to a refined taste

select fabrics that the shop makes into expensive suits for its well-heeled clientele

Synonyms & Similar Words

• elegant
• exquisite
• rare
• fine
• choice
• special
• exclusive
• exceptional
• excellent
• delicate
• premium
• outstanding
• dainty
• wonderful
• better
• recherché
• classic
• fancy
• great
• superb
• elite
• fabulous
• top
• high-grade
• prime
• terrific
• first-class
• superior
• par excellence
• superlative
• sterling
• stellar
• sensational
• splendid
• jewellike
• marvelous
• noble
• unsurpassed
• transcendent
• first-rate
• grand
• bijou
• top-notch
• tip-top
• supernal
• ultrarare

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• coarse
• popular
• commercial
• rough
• gross
• vulgar
• common
• uncultured
• uncultivated
• unrefined
• tasteless
• ordinary
• unpolished
• raffish
• kitschy
• average
• lesser
• lowbrow
• wanting
• rough-hewn
• mediocre
• kitsch
• inferior
• unacceptable
• unsatisfactory
• deficient
• second-rate
• second-class
• substandard
• mass-produced
• low-grade
• run-of-the-mine
• run-of-the-mill

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of select

Verb

Nonpartisan expert committees of educators and librarians select the books, nearly all published by Penguin Random House. — Alex H. Poole, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2026

The program has five types of fabric to accommodate different seasons and whether the child sleeps hot or sleeps cool, helping parents make a choice while also offering design choices for kids to select from. — David Moin, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2026

Adjective

Beyond physical performance, the researchers found that the 10-gram daily dose of creatine supported improvements in select tests of memory and cognitive processing. — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026

And after years competing internationally, at levels only a select few can fathom, that balance mattered. — Bella Armstrong, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026