discrimination

noun

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dis·crim·i·na·tion | \ di-ˌskri-mə-ˈnā-shən

Definition of discrimination

1a : prejudiced or prejudicial outlook, action, or treatment racial discrimination

b : the act, practice, or an instance of discriminating categorically rather than individually

2 : the quality or power of finely distinguishing the film viewed by those with discrimination

3a : the act of making or perceiving a difference : the act of discriminating a bloodhound's scent discrimination

b psychology : the process by which two stimuli differing in some aspect are responded to differently

Other Words from discrimination Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Discriminating Among Meanings of Discrimination More Example Sentences Learn More about discrimination

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Choose the Right Synonym for discrimination

discernment, discrimination, perception, penetration, insight, acumen mean a power to see what is not evident to the average mind. discernment stresses accuracy (as in reading character or motives or appreciating art). the discernment to know true friends discrimination stresses the power to distinguish and select what is true or appropriate or excellent. the discrimination that develops through listening to a lot of great music perception implies quick and often sympathetic discernment (as of shades of feeling). a novelist of keen perception into human motives penetration implies a searching mind that goes beyond what is obvious or superficial. lacks the penetration to see the scorn beneath their friendly smiles insight suggests depth of discernment coupled with understanding sympathy. a documentary providing insight into the plight of the homeless acumen implies characteristic penetration combined with keen practical judgment. a director of reliable box-office acumen

Discriminating Among Meanings of Discrimination

Discrimination has senses with neutral, positive, and negative connotations. On the one hand, it can refer to "the act (or power) of distinguishing" or to "good taste, refinement." These meanings, sometimes reinforced with modifiers (as in a fine or a nice discrimination), stress an ability to perceive differences as an index of unusual intelligence. On the other hand, when the perception of difference is marked by invidious distinction or hostility, the word (often followed by against) takes on very negative overtones, as in the senses "act of discriminating categorically rather than individually" (discrimination against women, age discrimination) and "a prejudiced outlook or course of action" (racial discrimination). The original, neutral sense of discrimination, "the act of distinguishing," came into English by the early 17th century, followed by the positive one associated with superior discernment in the 18th century. Discrimination in the "prejudice" sense has been in use since the early 19th century, almost 200 years ago.

Examples of discrimination in a Sentence

The law prohibits discrimination in hiring. He sued the company for age discrimination. the animal's impressive scent discrimination

Recent Examples on the Web In May, one Napa winery owner, Chuck Wagner of Caymus, went so far as to file a lawsuit against Newsom, claiming that the restrictions constituted discrimination against the wine industry. — Esther Mobley, SFChronicle.com, "California wineries brace for big losses during holiday season after looming lockdown," 3 Dec. 2020 The group has also sought to raise awareness of bias and discrimination against Black computer scientists and engineers. — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, "Google ethics researcher’s departure renews worries the company is silencing whistleblowers," 3 Dec. 2020 Behrens previously made the news for his involvement in this year's protests against police brutality in Phoenix and for alleging discrimination against transgender people in a Maricopa County jail. — Emily Wilder, The Arizona Republic, "'I'm 23 years old and I just had a stroke': Tempe man goes viral after COVID-19 experience," 2 Dec. 2020 Harris appealed the portion of the 6th Circuit ruling holding that Title VII bars discrimination against transgender workers. — NBC News, "Funeral home settles landmark transgender bias case for $250,000," 2 Dec. 2020 In 2019, California became the first state to ban discrimination against natural hair in work places and schools. — Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, "For Black workers, an unwelcome workplace focus on their hair," 1 Dec. 2020 This has fueled the marginalization of the indigenous Ainu people in the past, and discrimination against ethnic Koreans and Chinese, biracial Japanese people and immigrants. — Washington Post, "Nike ad showing racial discrimination faced by Japanese girls provokes backlash," 1 Dec. 2020 Cox, who made history in 2014 as the first out transgender actress to be nominated for an Emmy Award, has often used her platform to raise awareness about violence and discrimination against trans women. — Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, "Laverne Cox recounts transphobic attack in L.A.: ‘Never fails to be shocking’," 30 Nov. 2020 For the new administration of President-elect Joe Biden and for state and local officials, there's a warning here: Anything that smacks of discrimination against religious organizations will run into trouble, pandemic or no pandemic. — Cass R. Sunstein Bloomberg Opinion (tns), Star Tribune, "Don't read too much into worship ruling," 30 Nov. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'discrimination.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

6 Dec 2020

Cite this Entry

“Discrimination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discrimination. Accessed 14 Dec. 2020.

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More Definitions for discrimination

discrimination

noun

English Language Learners Definition of discrimination

: the practice of unfairly treating a person or group of people differently from other people or groups of people

: the ability to recognize the difference between things that are of good quality and those that are not

: the ability to understand that one thing is different from another thing

See the full definition for discrimination in the English Language Learners Dictionary

discrimination

noun

dis·crim·i·na·tion | \ di-ˌskri-mə-ˈnā-shən

Kids Definition of discrimination

1 : the practice of unfairly treating a person or group differently from other people or groups of people The law prohibits discrimination against the disabled.

2 : the ability to see differences Police use a dog's discrimination of smells.

discrimination

noun

dis·crim·i·na·tion | \ dis-ˌkrim-ə-ˈnā-shən