profiling

noun

pro·​fil·​ing ˈprō-ˌfī-liŋ 

: the act or process of extrapolating information about a person based on known traits or tendencies

consumer profiling

specifically : the act of suspecting or targeting a person on the basis of observed characteristics or behavior

racial profiling

Examples of profiling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The deployment has also raised concerns about racial profiling, wrongful arrests, and political pressure on law enforcement to align with federal immigration crackdowns. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 3 Nov. 2025

This hard-line immigration policy from Republicans has raised concerns over racial profiling from immigrant rights advocates. —Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025

The incident is a clear result of racial profiling, said Michelle Gross, president of Communities United Against Police Brutality. —Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 28 Oct. 2025

Mauricio Calvo, president and CEO of advocacy organization Latino Memphis, said some people have shut themselves in their homes because of the heightened immigration enforcement and concerns over racial profiling. —Christopher Cann, USA Today, 25 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1980, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for profiling

• beguiling
• compiling
• refiling
• reviling
• stockpiling
• unsmiling
• filing
• piling
• smiling
• styling
• tiling
• reconciling

Legal Definition

profiling

noun

pro·​fil·​ing

: the practice of singling out persons for law enforcement procedures on the basis of predetermined characteristics

specifically : the discriminatory practice of profiling based on race or ethnicity

racial profiling