► Critical review of using molecularly-imprinted polymers (MIPs) in sample preparation. ► Molecularly-imprinted polymers (MIPs) used in SPE, SPME and SBSE. ► Molecularly-imprinted polymers (MIPs) used with MSPD and liquid membranes. Sample preparation is still considered the bottleneck of the whole analytical process. In this regard, improvement in selectivity during extraction and/or subsequent clean-up of sample extracts is an area of intense research activity. One of the most versatile, promising options is to incorporate molecularly-imprinted polymers (MIPs) into sample preparation. MIPs are tailor-made, stable polymers with molecular recognition abilities, so that they are excellent materials for providing selectivity in sample preparation. This review describes the use of MIPs in sample preparation, including solid-phase extraction, and corresponding recent improvements, and their recent incorporation into other extraction techniques (e.g., solid-phase microextraction, matrix-solid phase dispersion and stir-bar sorptive extraction). It discusses the advantages and the drawbacks of each methodology, and the future expected trends.