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
The key to bridging a $2 billion gap in about five years could be in less selective cross-border expansion.
—
Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 26 Sep. 2024
One primary reason for being selective about what goes into your bedroom closet is the optimization of space, according to Toni Primack, a professional organizer and founder of Southern Roots Organizing and Style Co. in Prosper, Texas.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 21 Sep. 2024
In its petition to the high court, the news outlets argued that selective redactions can be made to protect truly private information.
—Hadas Gold, CNN, 19 Sep. 2024
The perception of objective reality captured through a device is a fallacy—images have always been subject to selective framing, misleading context, or manipulation.
—Benj Edwards, Ars Technica, 18 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for selective 
Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 26 Sep. 2024
One primary reason for being selective about what goes into your bedroom closet is the optimization of space, according to Toni Primack, a professional organizer and founder of Southern Roots Organizing and Style Co. in Prosper, Texas.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 21 Sep. 2024
In its petition to the high court, the news outlets argued that selective redactions can be made to protect truly private information.
—Hadas Gold, CNN, 19 Sep. 2024
The perception of objective reality captured through a device is a fallacy—images have always been subject to selective framing, misleading context, or manipulation.
—Benj Edwards, Ars Technica, 18 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for selective
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'selective.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near selective
Cite this Entry
“Selective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/selective. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.
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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