SELECTIVELY Synonyms: 9 Similar and Opposite Words

selectively

adverb

Definition of selectively

as in restrictively

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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 selectively Still, though, the White House has selectively denied CNN access to cover the president's travel on Air Force One -- no fewer than four times to date, Boutrous wrote. — Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026 The company’s latest hardware, called Helios, rotates the ions around a ring, selectively shifting the appropriate ones into one of two arms where measurements and operations of the ions’ quantum states can be performed using lasers. — ArsTechnica, 20 Oct. 2026 The plaintiffs had argued those terms were vague, and that the council selectively used them to silence prominent critics, violating their First Amendment rights. — Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026 Farmers might selectively breed chickens for more eggs, or cows for more milk. — Alida De Flamingh, The Conversation, 19 Oct. 2026 The company will also invest selectively in companies, either directly or down the line through dedicated investment vehicles managed by Collage Capital. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 19 Oct. 2026 With no way to do that selectively on short notice, everyone lost access, including Americans. — Ciaran Cosgrave, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026 That approach, known as enforcement discretion, allows the FDA to selectively choose to not enforce some of its own regulations. — ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026 According to the release, Gerber allegedly rarely tested for mercury and selectively tested ingredients rather than the finished products. — Suryatapa Chakraborty, The Hill, 14 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for selectively

Adverb

In addition to reform laws, some state supreme courts interpret the eminent domain provisions of their own state constitutions more restrictively.

— Aaron Walayat, The Conversation, 16 July 2026
Countering these threats with missiles is restrictively expensive, requiring a cheaper alternative ASAP.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 9 May 2026

Definition of restrictively

Adverb

Unlike weapons that engage targets individually, microwave systems can potentially counter several drones within an engagement area.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
Its sales representatives are individually building personal Gmail scripts, at night, in Google Apps Script, to survive an inbox that the AI-first version of the same company would have automated a year ago.

— Stephen Messer, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of individually

Adverb

Independents are split on whether AI is good (50%) or bad (49%) for them personally.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
Jill’s frenetic comings and goings that week attested to the long-running strains on her personally, dealing with the Bidens’ troubled family life while Joe did his job being president.

— Azadeh Moaveni, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of personally

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selective

selectively

selectivity

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“Selectively.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/selectively. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of selectively

adverb

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