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
In office, Trump granted his first presidential pardon to former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who had been convicted of a misdemeanor in connection with the continued practice of racial profiling by his department.
—
The Arizona Republic, 6 June 2024
In that initiative, federal agents and law enforcement officers used military techniques such as sweeps, raids and surveillance checkpoints — as well as a blunt form of racial profiling — to round up undocumented workers and load them onto buses and boats.
—Jazmine Ulloa, New York Times, 3 June 2024
Riding on the street may be a misdemeanor, but it shouldn’t be used by police as an excuse for racial profiling.
—Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, Baltimore Sun, 25 Apr. 2024
Even in places without such horrific behavior, watchdogs say things like racial profiling and excessive force by police remain common.
—Patrik Jonsson, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for profiling 
The Arizona Republic, 6 June 2024
In that initiative, federal agents and law enforcement officers used military techniques such as sweeps, raids and surveillance checkpoints — as well as a blunt form of racial profiling — to round up undocumented workers and load them onto buses and boats.
—Jazmine Ulloa, New York Times, 3 June 2024
Riding on the street may be a misdemeanor, but it shouldn’t be used by police as an excuse for racial profiling.
—Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, Baltimore Sun, 25 Apr. 2024
Even in places without such horrific behavior, watchdogs say things like racial profiling and excessive force by police remain common.
—Patrik Jonsson, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for profiling
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'profiling.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near profiling
Cite this Entry
“Profiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/profiling. Accessed 17 Jun. 2024.
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