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selective memory

American  
[si-lekt-iv mem-ree] / sɪˈlɛkt ɪv ˈmɛm ri /

noun

  1. Psychology. memory of certain things but not others, especially not for things that are uncomfortable to remember for whatever reason.


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

His concurrence is a fortress built out of fear and reinforced with selective memory.

From Slate ● May 15, 2025

Barry Bonds is the true home run king, and baseball has a selective memory about cheaters, gamblers and racists, Kevin Blackistone writes in The Washington Post.

From New York Times ● Oct. 7, 2022

Dr Reinhart said the treatment "could cause selective memory improvement that lasts for at least one month".

From BBC ● Aug. 22, 2022

Other exhibits display a similar myopia and selective memory in their treatment of U.S. history.

From Washington Post ● Oct. 18, 2019

It hit him that this was yet another example of the odd selective memory in his mind.

From "The Maze Runner" by James Dashner

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