profiling

pro·fil·ing | \ ˈprō-ˌfī-liŋ

Definition of profiling

: the act or process of extrapolating information about a person based on known traits or tendencies consumer profiling specifically : the act of suspecting or targeting a person on the basis of observed characteristics or behavior racial profiling

Examples of profiling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Upshaw said the plan is to highlight the decades-old problem of racial profiling in Livonia, an issue that critics have been mentioning at protests and public forums. — Chanel Stitt, Detroit Free Press, "Billboard: 'Driving while Black? Racial profiling just ahead. Welcome to Livonia.'," 7 July 2020 The exception, local officials said, was well-intentioned – a way for people worried about racial profiling to avoid that by having the option to not wear a mask, Lincoln County Commission spokesman Casey Miller said. — USA TODAY, "Marathon man, Veep visit, mask mandates: News from around our 50 states," 26 June 2020 Fishers has made headlines in recent years, too, for accusations of racial profiling. — Kaitlin Lange, The Indianapolis Star, "Carmel has a negative reputation when it comes to race relations. Here’s why.," 13 July 2020 It was replaced with a new program that makes no mention of profiling, according to the CRS staff. — Robert Faturechi, ProPublica, "How a Key Federal Civil Rights Agency Was Sidelined as Historic Protests Erupted," 9 July 2020 Upshaw said the plan is to highlight the decades-old problem of racial profiling in Livonia, an issue that critics have been mentioning at protests and public forums. — Chanel Stitt, Detroit Free Press, "Billboard: 'Driving while Black? Racial profiling just ahead. Welcome to Livonia.'," 7 July 2020 Upshaw said the plan is to highlight the decades-old problem of racial profiling in Livonia, an issue that critics have been mentioning at protests and public forums. — Chanel Stitt, USA TODAY, "Michigan drivers met with startling billboard message: 'Driving while Black? Racial profiling just ahead'," 8 July 2020 Top security and justice officials in Germany are torn over calls by human rights activists to study the use of racial profiling by police. — Fox News, "Germany torn over launching study of racial profiling by police," 7 July 2020 Latino citizens already living in Arizona beared the wrath of discriminatory legislation, racial profiling by police and racist behavior by peers. — Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, "Listen to the trailer for our new series, 'Rediscovering: SB 1070'," 1 July 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'profiling.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near profiling

profile machine

profile of equilibrium

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Last Updated

3 Aug 2020

Cite this Entry

“Profiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/profiling. Accessed 10 Aug. 2020.

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More Definitions for profiling

profiling

noun

English Language Learners Definition of profiling

: the act or process of learning information about someone based on what is already known

: the act or practice of regarding particular people as more likely to commit crimes because of their appearance, race, etc.

See the full definition for profiling in the English Language Learners Dictionary

profiling

noun

pro·fil·ing

Legal Definition of profiling

: the practice of singling out persons for law enforcement procedures on the basis of predetermined characteristics specifically : the discriminatory practice of profiling based on race or ethnicity racial profiling

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