self-select
verb
self-se·lect
ˌself-sə-ˈlekt 
self-selected; self-selecting; self-selects
1
transitive
: to select (something) by or for oneself
People tend to self-select the environments that fit their needs.—
Cynthia M. Allen
Cynthia M. Allen2
intransitive
: to select oneself as opposed to being selected
especially
: to opt in or out of something (such as a group, activity, or category) in accordance with one's personality, interests, etc.
As always, remember that our Twitter polls are unscientific, because respondents self-select … —Eric C. Evarts
Eric C. Evarts We self-select into partisan echo chambers, staying far away from dissenting voices on social media and cable news. —Brian Klaas
Brian Klaas … a compensation structure that rewards profitable growth and encourages low performers to self-select out of the organization. —Patrick Burke
Patrick Burke 3
intransitive
: to attract or involve individuals who tend to have a particular characteristic
… analysis of social-media responses self-selects for people who actually want to share their thoughts.—Adrian Lee
Adrian Lee
self-selected
adjective
a self-selected name
an unrepresentative, self-selected sampling
self-selection
noun
plural self-selections
student self-selection of reading materials
self-selection of survey respondents
The method helped researchers rule out self-selection bias, or the possibility that people who seek out dental care are different—perhaps healthier in general—than those who don't.
—Sarah Yang
Sarah Yang
Examples of self-select in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The big picture: Like most partisan media, the pro-Trump echo chamber self-selects news, polls and predictions that point to a decisive victory for the former president on Nov. 5.
—Zachary Basu, Axios, 29 Oct. 2024
This may reflect a self-selecting sample where older folks are more willing to report such a crime.
—Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024
Now, there are internet polls out there that are self-selected and Trump did prevail in some of those, but those are really meaningless.
—Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 16 Sep. 2024
Crowds are also self-selected, which is to say, not necessarily reflective of broader sentiments.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2024
In other words, moms self-select into occupations that are less lucrative but have other advantages, such as requiring fewer hours or offering remote flexibility.
—Rachel M. Cohen, Vox, 9 July 2024
Finally, anecdotal evidence suggests that potential nonwhite applicants sometimes self-select out of the process.
—Matthew Connelly, Foreign Affairs, 12 May 2023
The parade draws a self-selecting audience every year.
—Anatoly Kurmanaev Nanna Heitmann, New York Times, 9 May 2024
McLaren is reportedly a bit less selective than, say, Ferrari, in who gets to buy its cars, but those with the money and interest tend to be a self-selecting group anyway.
—Sean Evans, Robb Report, 6 Apr. 2024
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.
Zachary Basu, Axios, 29 Oct. 2024
This may reflect a self-selecting sample where older folks are more willing to report such a crime.
—Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024
Now, there are internet polls out there that are self-selected and Trump did prevail in some of those, but those are really meaningless.
—Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 16 Sep. 2024
Crowds are also self-selected, which is to say, not necessarily reflective of broader sentiments.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2024
In other words, moms self-select into occupations that are less lucrative but have other advantages, such as requiring fewer hours or offering remote flexibility.
—Rachel M. Cohen, Vox, 9 July 2024
Finally, anecdotal evidence suggests that potential nonwhite applicants sometimes self-select out of the process.
—Matthew Connelly, Foreign Affairs, 12 May 2023
The parade draws a self-selecting audience every year.
—Anatoly Kurmanaev Nanna Heitmann, New York Times, 9 May 2024
McLaren is reportedly a bit less selective than, say, Ferrari, in who gets to buy its cars, but those with the money and interest tend to be a self-selecting group anyway.
—Sean Evans, Robb Report, 6 Apr. 2024
Dictionary Entries Near self-select
Cite this Entry
“Self-select.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-select. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share