1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

selectivity

noun

as in discrimination

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 selectivity That selectivity gives Costco clout with vendors to get low prices. — Phil Wahba, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026 That selectivity gives the process a different operating principle from conventional separation methods. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2026 That selectivity could be more important than the polyester yield itself. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026 That selectivity could become increasingly important as the StudBudz’ commercial opportunities expand. — Allison Smith, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 The financial challenges are hitting colleges of all sizes, and at all levels of selectivity. — Ira Porter, Christian Science Monitor, 13 Aug. 2026 With patience and selectivity, a tight budget can still open up the universe. — Damian Peach, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Analysts said that recent volatility and valuation changes demand greater selectivity. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 15 July 2026 Everyone else was reminded that selectivity remains the defining feature of this market. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 30 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for selectivity
  1. discrimination
  2. accuracy
  3. alertness
  4. precision
Noun
  • On Monday, the outlets filed their joint lawsuit, alleging they were singled out because of the content of their coverage — in other words, viewpoint discrimination.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The notice also alleges discrimination in two UCSF programs that prepare doctors to serve medically underserved urban communities in the San Joaquin Valley.
    — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of discrimination
Noun
  • By changing the current sent to the motor, the researchers can set its jump height with single-centimeter accuracy.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The complication shows the moon phases for both the Northern and Southern hemispheres, with a 135-tooth driving wheel that drastically enhances accuracy, deviating by just one day every 122 years.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of accuracy
Noun
  • Ellen displays intimacy with Lara in front of Ruby; Lara withholds and then offers attention; Ruby watches with envy, desire, and the alertness of a guest who cannot tell whether she is being welcomed or appraised.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Kratom products contain chemicals that can increase alertness, physical energy, and talkativeness.
    — Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of alertness
Noun
  • He was done with being shaggy — this would be an album of precision.
    — Josephine Reisman, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026
  • The moment highlights Ali’s affinity for fashion, often captured through WWD’s lens, which, like his presence in the ring, is rendered with precision through Parks’ exacting gaze.
    — Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of precision

Browse Nearby Words

selectively
selectivity
selector
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Selectivity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/selectivity. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of epistemic

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of the words cracker fly and sale arranged in a triangle with the word fire in the middle
Triple Play Quiz Find the word that pairs with each of the three g...
See All