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
Paramount also eliminated its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives to align with the Trump administration's view that such affirmative action policies are discriminatory.
—
USA Today, 25 July 2025
Hunter Biden to the Rescue Paramount has also dismantled its diversity, equity and inclusion programs to reflect the Trump administration's stance that the initiatives constitute discriminatory affirmative action.
—Sonam Sheth
gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
The act, signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965, prohibited discriminatory practices such as literacy tests and poll taxes that disqualified many African Americans from voting in the post-Civil War era South.
—Nina Totenberg, NPR, 24 July 2025
Over the last couple of weeks, the university has also moved to adopt a definition of antisemitism that recognizes some criticism of Israel as discriminatory against Jews, and suspend or expel dozens of student protesters.
—Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for discriminatory
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USA Today, 25 July 2025
Hunter Biden to the Rescue Paramount has also dismantled its diversity, equity and inclusion programs to reflect the Trump administration's stance that the initiatives constitute discriminatory affirmative action.
—Sonam Sheth
gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
The act, signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965, prohibited discriminatory practices such as literacy tests and poll taxes that disqualified many African Americans from voting in the post-Civil War era South.
—Nina Totenberg, NPR, 24 July 2025
Over the last couple of weeks, the university has also moved to adopt a definition of antisemitism that recognizes some criticism of Israel as discriminatory against Jews, and suspend or expel dozens of student protesters.
—Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 23 July 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 1 Aug. 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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