discriminating

1 of 2

adjective

dis·​crim·​i·​nat·​ing di-ˈskri-mə-ˌnā-tiŋ 

1

: making a distinction : distinguishing

a discriminating mark

2

: marked by discrimination:

a

: discerning, judicious

discriminating buyers

b

: discriminatory

accused of discriminating practices

discriminatingly

di-ˈskri-mə-ˌnā-tiŋ-lē 

adverb

discriminating

2 of 2

present participle of discriminate

Synonyms of discriminating

Adjective

• discriminatory
• unfair

Examples of discriminating in a Sentence

Adjective

accused of discriminating practices in the hiring of employees

a discriminating feature of poison ivy is a compound leaf with three mitten-shaped leaflets

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Aphids Aphids are a common garden pest that is known for being non-discriminating. — The Spruce, 21 July 2026

But this would require a more discriminating choice of clients, to avoid aiding wars like Saudi Arabia’s brutal campaign in Yemen or Israel’s mass slaughter in Gaza. — William Hartung, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026

Salads and tropical fruits are served in wooden bowls, there are 10 different varieties of breads, and the charcuterie selection of meats and cheeses will impress even the most discriminating French guests. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Mar. 2026

While the monarch caterpillar will only eat milkweed, the gulf fritillary caterpillars are slightly less discriminating. — Joan Morris, Mercury News, 15 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1642, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for discriminating

• accelerating
• accentuating
• accommodating
• accumulating
• adjudicating
• administrating
• affiliating
• agglutinating
• alienating
• alleviating
• amalgamating
• ameliorating

Kids Definition

discriminating

adjective

dis·​crim·​i·​nat·​ing

dis-ˈkrim-ə-ˌnāt-iŋ

1

: showing careful judgment : discerning

a discriminating taste

2

: discriminatory

discriminatingly adverb