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

Relevance

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 Aside from the compression in market valuations, liquidity has weakened and investors have become more selective as the cost of capital and risk premiums have increased. — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2026 An extensive cemetery added to the impression of a flourishing urban center, as did what might have been part of a brewing complex found through selective excavations. — Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 29 Sep. 2026 That effort eventually found a powerful ally in Cruz, the chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, whose views on the Sherman Act have been notably selective. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 28 Sep. 2026 Their 2025 research also found that easier transit access increases enrollment in selective, generally higher-performing schools. — Brian O'Malley, Baltimore Sun, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for selective

Recent Examples of Synonyms for selective

Adjective

If a particular bank or investor isn’t the right match at the moment, preserving the relationship is important in case the situation ever changes.

— Frank Williamson, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026
If there are any issues with a particular trail that Coles has identified needs repairs — like if an endangered species is known to live in a creek next to the trail — the Forest Service could deny his request, thus leaving the trail unmaintained.

— Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of particular

Adjective

Lawrence’s casting is a coup – for any studio, really – as the actress is known for being quite choosy.

— Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026
Schumann has seen how Dan Lanning was choosy and didn’t leave a good situation until a job the caliber of Oregon came into the picture.

— Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of choosy

Adjective

But even Cruise has learned the hard way that moviegoers have become pickier about what’s worth getting off the couch for.

— Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026
The bears, which are normally solitary creatures, can be picky when choosing mates, and females are only in heat for one to three days each year.

— Eduardo Cuevas, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of picky

Adjective

The woman and her children lived in the nice part of the house and the foster girls — three to five at a time — ate dinner separately in the basement.

— Joseph Shapiro, NPR, 3 Oct. 2026
In an era where millions of recipes are made for content consumption as much as actual consumption, traveling back in time for someone’s beloved 1970 banana bread recipe sounds pretty nice.

— Candy Hom, AJC.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of nice

Browse Nearby Words

selections

selective

selectively

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Selective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/selective. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of selective

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

inscrutable

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

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

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes