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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of selective
But the delisting was so selective in its application—targeting only seven banks out of hundreds in Russia—that the Russian economy actually grew in 2023 and 2024.
—
Michael Carpenter, Foreign Affairs, 1 July 2025
Still, with the utilities sector outperforming the S&P 500 this year, the bank is being selective.
—Michelle Fox, CNBC, 26 June 2025
Don’t feel bad about being selective since your friends should feel honored to be part of your life.
—Liz Simmons, StyleCaster, 24 June 2025
There’s a common misconception that being selective means limiting growth.
—Ken Thomas, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for selective
Michael Carpenter, Foreign Affairs, 1 July 2025
Still, with the utilities sector outperforming the S&P 500 this year, the bank is being selective.
—Michelle Fox, CNBC, 26 June 2025
Don’t feel bad about being selective since your friends should feel honored to be part of your life.
—Liz Simmons, StyleCaster, 24 June 2025
There’s a common misconception that being selective means limiting growth.
—Ken Thomas, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for selective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for selective
Adjective
-
This particular pain is never returned to—not in these terms.—
James Wood,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
-
In these ways, Norman feels intertwined with so much Charlotte history, with so many important Charlotte people, of a particular time in the city.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
While tariffs may lead to consumers being more choosy, Link said the overall macroeconomic picture still looks positive, bolstered by lower interest rates, a steady job market and strong consumer savings.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
4 Mar. 2025
-
And by that time in her career, Salonga could be choosy.—
Robert Ito,
New York Times,
16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The Perks of Free Kids Meals for Parents Omni’s new summer offer puts a spotlight on the pain points of traveling with picky eaters.—
Liz Regalia,
Parents,
7 July 2025
-
In Materialists, Lee plays Trevor, one of Lucy's more picky clients whose entire dating criteria revolves around finding a woman who's fit and has a BMI under 20.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
14 June 2025
Adjective
-
The units also vary in shape: the cube is nice for nightstands, while the wider grand size works well on large dressers.—
Jamie Fischer,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 July 2025
-
And, the embroidery on the pillowcases adds a nice touch.—
Shalwah Evans,
People.com,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Selective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/selective. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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