discriminatory
adjective
dis·crim·i·na·to·ry
di-ˈskri-mə-nə-ˌtȯr-ē 
-ˈskrim-nə-
2
: applying or favoring discrimination in treatment
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
This includes organizations that provide support for undocumented immigrants, children who seek medical gender transitions, or for speech the administration deems to support terrorist, violent or discriminatory ideas.
—
Jennifer L. Steele, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2025
The Special Olympics has been fighting against the discriminatory use of the word since the term’s early days as an insult.
—Kate Reilly, NBC news, 30 Oct. 2025
And even then, the discriminatory remedy must be tailored to that conduct.
—Andrew Quinio, Oc Register, 29 Oct. 2025
County officials have said in the past that to deny an airline’s contract could be considered discriminatory by the Federal Aviation Administration, which provides more than 90% of the funding for capital improvements at the county’s airports.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for discriminatory
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Jennifer L. Steele, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2025
The Special Olympics has been fighting against the discriminatory use of the word since the term’s early days as an insult.
—Kate Reilly, NBC news, 30 Oct. 2025
And even then, the discriminatory remedy must be tailored to that conduct.
—Andrew Quinio, Oc Register, 29 Oct. 2025
County officials have said in the past that to deny an airline’s contract could be considered discriminatory by the Federal Aviation Administration, which provides more than 90% of the funding for capital improvements at the county’s airports.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for discriminatory
Cite this Entry
“Discriminatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discriminatory. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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