as in particular
tending to select carefully
we were highly selective about the music we listened to while trying out loudspeakers
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Recent Examples of selective
Singling out of minority groups for harsh and selective prosecutions, often based on old laws.
—
Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 28 Sep. 2025
One move would be for Comey’s lawyers to try to have the charges thrown out on the grounds of vindictive or selective prosecution, basically arguing that Comey was targeted for impermissible reasons.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
According to Success Academy, 100 percent of their graduates have been accepted to four-year colleges and universities, many to highly selective institutions.
—Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
Perhaps more significant is the possibility of selective economic reengagement.
—Tanvi Madan, Foreign Affairs, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for selective
Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 28 Sep. 2025
One move would be for Comey’s lawyers to try to have the charges thrown out on the grounds of vindictive or selective prosecution, basically arguing that Comey was targeted for impermissible reasons.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
According to Success Academy, 100 percent of their graduates have been accepted to four-year colleges and universities, many to highly selective institutions.
—Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
Perhaps more significant is the possibility of selective economic reengagement.
—Tanvi Madan, Foreign Affairs, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for selective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for selective
Adjective
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My colleague David Ferrara and I spoke with university officials, immigrant experts and a former UC international student to learn more about what's at stake when this particular number drops.—
Grace Tucker,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
30 Sep. 2025
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For January 2027 through September 2030, the property will be rented at 10% of the school's net income for that particular year, according to the lease agreement.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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LinkedIn's algorithm is choosy.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
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Known for being among the choosiest of the choosy buildings and the longtime home of Henry Kissinger, whose sprawling duplex, full of green upholstery and black candles — very Sister Parish — has yet to come on the market since his death.—
Kim Velsey,
Curbed,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Parents have long used this beloved casserole as a vehicle for sneaking some veggies into picky kids' diets.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
24 Sep. 2025
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Such restrictive menus are not ideal for picky eaters.—
Shindy Chen,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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With a turtleneck and jeans For an ensemble that’s nice (and warm) enough to wear in practically any situation, just add an eye-catching topper to your usual cold-weather combo.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
26 Sep. 2025
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Which would make a nice change of pace from the collective teeth-gnashing in FoCo lately.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Selective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/selective. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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