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
The Voting Rights Act is considered one of the most important achievements of the Civil Rights Movement, ending discriminatory practices such as poll taxes, literacy tests, and violence or intimidation used to deter Black people from voting.
—
Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Nov. 2025
But over the years, residential segregation has declined slowly, and the most egregious and overt discriminatory acts, such as cross burnings and blockbusting, rarely happen anymore.
—Gregory Squires, The Conversation, 13 Nov. 2025
Indigenous tribes have long used fire to care for the land through cultural burnings, but in the 1800s, that practice was banned by restrictive and discriminatory laws in places like California.
—Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 9 Nov. 2025
The independent watchdog said Meta must ensure its ads are non-discriminatory and report back within three months.
—Carlotta Dotto, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for discriminatory
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Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Nov. 2025
But over the years, residential segregation has declined slowly, and the most egregious and overt discriminatory acts, such as cross burnings and blockbusting, rarely happen anymore.
—Gregory Squires, The Conversation, 13 Nov. 2025
Indigenous tribes have long used fire to care for the land through cultural burnings, but in the 1800s, that practice was banned by restrictive and discriminatory laws in places like California.
—Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 9 Nov. 2025
The independent watchdog said Meta must ensure its ads are non-discriminatory and report back within three months.
—Carlotta Dotto, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 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 25 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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