discriminate

verb

dis·​crim·​i·​nate di-ˈskri-mə-ˌnāt 

discriminated; discriminating

transitive verb

1

a

: to mark or perceive the distinguishing or peculiar features of

Depth perception may be defined as the ability to appreciate or discriminate the third dimension …

—H. G. Armstrong

b

: distinguish, differentiate

discriminate hundreds of colors

2

: to distinguish by discerning or exposing differences : to recognize or identify as separate and distinct

discriminate right from wrong

especially : to distinguish from another like object

discriminate the individual voices in the choir

intransitive verb

1

a

: to make a distinction

discriminate among historical sources

discriminates between literary fiction and popular fiction

b

: to use good judgment

2

: to make a difference in treatment or favor on a basis other than individual merit

discriminate in favor of your friends

discriminate against a certain nationality

Did you know?

Although many methods or motives for discriminating are unfair and undesirable (or even illegal), the verb itself has a neutral history. English speakers borrowed it from the past participle of the Latin verb discriminare (meaning "to distinguish or differentiate"), which, itself, is derived from the verb discernere, meaning "to distinguish between." Discernere, in turn, was formed by combining the prefix dis- (meaning "apart") and cernere ("to sift"). Other descendants of discernere include discern and discernible (as you no doubt guessed), discreet, and indiscretion. In addition, the root cernere gives us concern, certain, decree, and even secret.

Synonyms

• difference
• differentiate
• discern
• distinguish
• secern
• separate

Examples of discriminate in a Sentence

The school is not allowed to discriminate.

the human eye can discriminate between very slight gradations of color

Recent Examples on the Web

Thursday’s lawsuit alleges that several Sweetgreen stores in New York — the complaint focused mostly on three: stores in Midtown East, the Financial District and the Meatpacking District — were discriminating against and harassing Black workers. —Tim Carman, Washington Post, 14 Sep. 2023

The show reflects the range of portraiture and the ways the art form has been used to discriminate and enforce hierarchies across gender, race and class. —Steven Vargas, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2023

An article on Tuesday about a U.S. judge’s ruling that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau exceeded its authority in trying to examine whether banks are discriminating against Black Americans and other minorities misspelled the surname of the judge who presided over the case. —New York Times, 13 Sep. 2023

Related Patients still discriminate against health care workers of color. —Ramón Borges-Méndez, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Sep. 2023

Black quarterback coaches were also discriminated against for essentially the same reason. —Mike Freeman, USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2023

Justice Department launches civil rights investigation into dilapidated and unsanitary conditions at Georgia's Fulton County Jail The investigation will also look into whether the jail discriminates against detainees with psychiatric disabilities. —Devon M. Sayers, CNN, 31 Aug. 2023

As part of the rules, such educational assistance programs must be in writing and cannot discriminate in favor of highly compensated employees. —Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 1 Sep. 2023

During the hearing, Borg-Neal, who is White, failed to convince the judges that he was discriminated against on account of his race. —Jonathan Browning, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2023

See More

Word History

Etymology

Latin discriminatus, past participle of discriminare, from discrimin-, discrimen distinction, from discernere to distinguish between — more at discern

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

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Kids Definition

discriminate

verb

dis·​crim·​i·​nate dis-ˈkrim-ə-ˌnāt 

discriminated; discriminating

1

a

: to see the special features of

discriminate the geologic features of an area

b

: distinguish sense 1, differentiate

discriminate hundreds of colors

2

: to be able to tell the difference especially between similar things

discriminate between a tree and a bush

3

: to treat some people better than others without any fair or proper reason

discriminated against because of their race

discriminable

-ə-nə-bəl

adjective

Medical Definition

discriminate

verb

dis·​crim·​i·​nate dis-ˈkrim-ə-ˌnāt 

discriminated; discriminating

transitive verb

: to respond selectively to (a stimulus)

intransitive verb

: to respond selectively

the capacity of organisms to discriminate

—J. A. Swets

Legal Definition

discriminate

intransitive verb

dis·​crim·​i·​nate dis-ˈkri-mə-ˌnāt 

discriminated; discriminating

: to make a difference in treatment or favor on a basis other than individual merit

especially : to make a difference in treatment on a basis prohibited by law (as national origin, race, sex, religion, age, or disability) see also bona fide occupational qualification, equal protection, reverse discrimination, suspect class, Civil Rights Act of 1964

discrimination

dis-ˌkri-mə-ˈnā-shən 

noun