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 of discriminatory

• 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

The Justice Department moved to terminate more than a dozen decades-old school desegregation cases without asking the court first to review whether the district successfully ended its past discriminatory practices, a watchdog group has found. — Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

French, who is running against Democrat Jon Rosenthal for Texas Railroad Commissioner, has been criticized multiple times by members of the GOP for discriminatory social media posts. — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026

For decades, plaintiffs had been permitted to contest electoral districts that had discriminatory effects, without needing to prove discriminatory intent. — Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026

The policy prohibits using ALPR data for personal use, gathering information solely regarding free speech, political or religious activity, and using the data for discriminatory purposes. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026

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