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
Acting Manhattan state Supreme Court Justice Jeffrey Pearlman should have rejected a ludicrous lawsuit claiming the city’s Staten Island congressional district, held by Republican Nicole Malliotakis, is discriminatory against minority voters and needs to be redrawn.
—
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 23 Jan. 2026
Immigrant advocacy groups have denounced the June travel ban as discriminatory against Muslim-majority and African countries.
—Laura Turbay, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
Supporters say eliminating those stops would reduce discriminatory policing and make encounters between drivers and police safer.
—Caroline Foreback, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
The report noted that in addition to Section 122 and Section 301, the administration could also use Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 — authorizing tariffs of up to 50% in response to discriminatory foreign practices.
—Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for discriminatory
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New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 23 Jan. 2026
Immigrant advocacy groups have denounced the June travel ban as discriminatory against Muslim-majority and African countries.
—Laura Turbay, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
Supporters say eliminating those stops would reduce discriminatory policing and make encounters between drivers and police safer.
—Caroline Foreback, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
The report noted that in addition to Section 122 and Section 301, the administration could also use Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 — authorizing tariffs of up to 50% in response to discriminatory foreign practices.
—Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for discriminatory
Cite this Entry
“Discriminatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discriminatory. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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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