profiling

noun

pro·​fil·​ing ˈprō-ˌfī-liŋ 

: 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

Democrats are demanding that federal immigration agents remove their masks, wear identification, and operate without racial profiling. —Briseida Holguin, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026

He was subsequently released yet the incident shed light on racial profiling as Hill’s charges were later dismissed. —Miami Herald, 16 Feb. 2026

Seeing young people speak out against racial profiling, deportations without due process and families being torn apart is both heartbreaking and hopeful and a powerful reminder of how urgent this moment is. —Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026

Critics say immigration agents have detained legal residents — in some cases based on racial profiling — and have made the Twin Cities less safe. —Mary Murphy, Twin Cities, 10 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1980, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for profiling

• beguiling
• compiling
• refiling
• reviling
• stockpiling
• unsmiling
• filing
• piling
• smiling
• styling
• tiling
• reconciling

Legal Definition

profiling

noun

pro·​fil·​ing

: 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