discriminatory

adjective

dis·​crim·​i·​na·​to·​ry di-ˈskri-mə-nə-ˌtȯr-ē 

-ˈskrim-nə-

1

: discriminative sense 1

2

: applying or favoring discrimination in treatment

discriminatorily

di-ˌskri-mə-nə-ˈtȯr-ə-lē 

-ˌskrim-nə-

adverb

Synonyms

• unfair
• unjust
• discriminative

Examples of discriminatory in a Sentence

The law prohibits discriminatory hiring practices.

a company that was fined for its discriminatory practices in the hiring of women

Recent Examples on the Web

In October 2023, the AFL filed a federal civil rights complaint against MLB for racially discriminatory programs, alongside the EEOC. —Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025

Mitigate Bias In Algorithmic Decision-Making Unchecked bias can lead to discriminatory outcomes in hiring, lending, identity verification and customer profiling, exposing companies to legal, reputational and compliance risks. —Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025

Data collected under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act is used for the U.S. mortgage market, to see if financial institutions are serving the housing needs of communities and to find possible discriminatory lending practices. —Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 30 June 2025

And, in the end, this discriminatory behavior hurts us all. —Gavin Yamey, Time, 20 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1745, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for discriminatory

• adjudicatory
• anticipatory
• articulatory
• classificatory
• conciliatory
• congratulatory
• ejaculatory
• emancipatory
• hallucinatory
• interlaboratory
• interrogatory
• investigatory

Kids Definition

discriminatory

adjective

dis·​crim·​i·​na·​to·​ry dis-ˈkrim-(ə-)nə-ˌtōr-ē 

-ˌtȯr-

: showing discrimination : being unfair

discriminatory treatment

Legal Definition

discriminatory

adjective

dis·​crim·​i·​na·​to·​ry dis-ˈkri-mə-nə-ˌtōr-ē 

1

: applying discrimination in treatment

2

: having unlawful discrimination as an effect

discriminatorily

-ˌkri-mə-nə-ˈtōr-ə-lē 

adverb