discriminating

adjective

dis·​crim·​i·​nat·​ing di-ˈskri-mə-ˌnā-tiŋ How to pronounce discriminating (audio)
1
: making a distinction : distinguishing
a discriminating mark
2
: marked by discrimination:
a
: discerning, judicious
discriminating buyers
b
: discriminatory
accused of discriminating practices
discriminatingly adverb

Examples of discriminating in a Sentence

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Turning Selectivity Into Strategy A range of more discriminating strategies have been explored, including tweaking the shape and timing of electrical pulses and using multi-contact electrodes to maneuver currents in specific directions. IEEE Spectrum, 4 June 2025 For the discriminating listener, the thousands spent outfitting a vehicle with a top-of-the-line amplifier, speakers, and subwoofers are all for naught if the source signal is a low-quality MP3 or Advanced Audio Coding music file. IEEE Spectrum, 29 Oct. 2010 If the United States is upset with a country over its human rights abuses, for example, reducing or even cutting off economic and diplomatic ties as punishment risks ceding influence to a less discriminating China. Oriana Skylar Mastro, Foreign Affairs, 11 Dec. 2018 Perhaps audiences aren't so much bored with superhero movies as becoming more discriminating in their choices. Ars Technica, 23 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for discriminating

Word History

First Known Use

1642, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of discriminating was in 1642

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Discriminating.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discriminating. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

discriminating

adjective
dis·​crim·​i·​nat·​ing
dis-ˈkrim-ə-ˌnāt-iŋ
1
: showing careful judgment : discerning
a discriminating taste
2
discriminatingly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on discriminating

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!