as in particular
tending to select carefully we were highly selective about the music we listened to while trying out loudspeakers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of selective Her hunt for vengeance is not always selective, but it is aimed, always, at Armacham. Will Borger, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025 Admission is selective, with an application process modeled on competitive college programs. Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025 Today, about 1 in 140 children ages 3 to 8 have selective mutism, according to the Child Mind Institute. Erin Silvia, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025 At the heart of these sensors is the ion-to-electron transducer, positioned between the ion-selective membrane and the electronic conductor. Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for selective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for selective
Adjective
  • The streaming market is slowing but still growing, with particular attention on Asia, Africa, and South America.
    Billboard Japan, Billboard, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Sandor was a voracious reader who regularly went to the theater and the movies (Montgomery Clift was a particular favorite), and that inspired her to create stories and fantasy worlds.
    Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • LinkedIn's algorithm is choosy.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
  • 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
  • These easy lasagna recipes make for great dinners that even the pickiest eaters will love.
    Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Total Wine & More’s 2025 advent calendar of wine features varietals from all over the world that are sure to please even the pickiest oenophile.
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Ten-inch-tall elves, called Scout Elves, arrive in children's homes ahead of Christmas with a mission to relay children's behavior back to Santa Claus for his naughty and nice list.
    Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
  • To those earning $50,000 a year at their regular jobs, making $5,000 in a few nights of netting was a nice bonus.
    Steve Waters, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Selective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/selective. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.

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