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 Supreme Court on Monday lifted restrictions on aggressive immigration enforcement tactics by federal agents in central California that had been challenged by critics as unconstitutional racial profiling. —Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2025

Whatley tied Brown's release after a previous arrest to a 2020 executive order on racial profiling that Cooper had signed while in office. —Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025

Undeterred by court orders over racial profiling, Bovino also revels in breaking norms. —Elliot Spagat, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025

The state police signed what’s known as a 287(g) agreement with ICE in June, under the expansive Task Force Model, which has drawn racial profiling concerns. —Idaho Statesman, 4 Sep. 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