SELECTIVE Synonyms: 17 Similar and Opposite Words

selective

adjective

sə-ˈlek-tiv

Definition of selective

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 Balancing antibiotics’ pros and cons Scientists now know that it’s not shortened courses of antibiotics that can promote antimicrobial resistance, but that antibiotic exposure itself creates selective pressure for resistant bacteria to emerge. — Amy J. Mathers, The Conversation, 28 Aug. 2026 Its work-in-progress was also one of five titles at the 2025 prestigious and highly selective Annecy Animation Showcase at the Cannes Festival’s Marché du Film. — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026 Investors have gotten more selective within technology , the chief investment officer said. — Sarah Min, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026 While Naveena’s silk developments have been well-received in presentations and sampling stages, Aydemir said the transition to commercial adoption remains selective due to pricing considerations. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for selective

Recent Examples of Synonyms for selective

Adjective

One day, Cole paged through an album whose acidic glues caused her particular anguish.

— Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
Shape-memory polymers can be programmed to return to a particular shape after exposure to a stimulus, often heat.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of particular

Adjective

And because Imax is not actively seeking a sale, simply entertaining offers, its executives can afford to be choosey.

— Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Young adults are just getting choosier about when a drink is actually worth it, and the ripple effects are showing up in surveys, menus and social feeds.

— Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of choosy

Adjective

Some producers will get much more picky about that and spend a lot of time aligning the playing to the grid.

— Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
Violet helleborines are incredibly picky orchids, requiring a mature beech forest growing on a clay soil overlaid on chalk.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of picky

Browse Nearby Words

selections

selective

selectively

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Style

“Selective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/selective. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of selective

adjective

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