selective
adjective
se·lec·tive
sə-ˈlek-tiv 
2
: highly specific in activity or effect
selective pesticides
selective absorption
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
In this context, luxury spenders are particularly selective.
—
Mimosa Spencer, USA TODAY, 21 Dec. 2024
Even if Beijing is selective in issuing threats and imposing restrictions, taking action against some U.S. partners but not others, the same chill will be running through capitals across the world, from Brussels to New Delhi.
—Daniel H. Rosen, Foreign Affairs, 17 Dec. 2024
The tips of six optical fibers were fitted with fluorescent sensors, which, by using a multi-wavelength laser, enabled the selective and continuous measurement of each of the biomarkers.
—New Atlas, 15 Dec. 2024
With the help of private funding, it’s evolved into one of the nation’s leading programs for helping outstanding students from low-income backgrounds gain admission to highly selective colleges and receive full-ride, four year scholarships from those institutions.
—Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
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Mimosa Spencer, USA TODAY, 21 Dec. 2024
Even if Beijing is selective in issuing threats and imposing restrictions, taking action against some U.S. partners but not others, the same chill will be running through capitals across the world, from Brussels to New Delhi.
—Daniel H. Rosen, Foreign Affairs, 17 Dec. 2024
The tips of six optical fibers were fitted with fluorescent sensors, which, by using a multi-wavelength laser, enabled the selective and continuous measurement of each of the biomarkers.
—New Atlas, 15 Dec. 2024
With the help of private funding, it’s evolved into one of the nation’s leading programs for helping outstanding students from low-income backgrounds gain admission to highly selective colleges and receive full-ride, four year scholarships from those institutions.
—Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for selective
Dictionary Entries Near selective
Cite this Entry
“Selective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/selective. Accessed 2 Jan. 2025.
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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