unselective

Thân thiện

Her unselective reading habits meant she picked up any book from the shelf.

Definition

Adjective: * Not selective or discriminating: Describes a person, process, or action that does not make careful choices or distinctions; it includes or considers everything without preference or specific criteria.

Usage

The adjective "unselective" is used to characterize an approach, method, or behavior that lacks discernment or specific focus. It often carries a neutral or slightly negative connotation, implying a lack of refinement or purposefulness in choice. * It typically precedes a noun (e.g., an unselective process) or follows a linking verb like "be" or "seem" (e.g., The method was unselective). * It is often used with prepositions like "in" (unselective in her reading) or "about" (unselective about details).

Examples

• The herbicide was unselective, killing all the plants in the field, not just the weeds.
• His unselective approach to collecting data made the final analysis very difficult.
• The filter is completely unselective; it removes all particles larger than one micron.
• She was unselective in her friendships, welcoming anyone who showed her kindness.

Advanced Usage

• In Biology/Chemistry: Used to describe agents, processes, or receptors that act on or bind to a wide range of targets without specificity.
  • The antibiotic was unselective, disrupting the patient's beneficial gut flora along with the infection.
• In Critique: Used to criticize a lack of judgment or standards.
  • The magazine was criticized for its unselective publishing of celebrity gossip.

Variants and Related Words

• Unselectively (adverb): In an unselective manner.
  • He quoted sources unselectively, without verifying their credibility.
• Nonselective (adjective): A near-synonym often used interchangeably, particularly in scientific contexts.
  • A nonselective beta-blocker.

Synonyms

• Indiscriminate
• Undiscriminating
• Uncritical
• Broad-spectrum (specific to sciences)
• Catch-all

Antonyms

• Selective
• Discriminating
• Discerning
• Choosy
• Specific

Học thuật

Adjective

1. not selective or discriminating; her choices seemed completely random"
   • unselective in her reading habits