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
Both reference — pejoratively — the same Obama administration letter from 2014 that noted disparities in how punishment was administered in schools, and warned against discriminatory discipline.
—
Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2025
Due to the long legacy of discriminatory practices like redlining — which denied mortgage insurance in or near Black neighborhoods — Black Coloradans are now 50% less likely than white Coloradans to own a home.
—Bianka Emerson, Denver Post, 30 Apr. 2025
The logical conclusion is that discriminatory speech is an issue everywhere the sport is played with people from disparate backgrounds.
—Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
McClanahan, who is Black, accuses the restaurant of discriminatory dress code enforcement, favoring white patrons.
—Real-Time News Team, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for discriminatory
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Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2025
Due to the long legacy of discriminatory practices like redlining — which denied mortgage insurance in or near Black neighborhoods — Black Coloradans are now 50% less likely than white Coloradans to own a home.
—Bianka Emerson, Denver Post, 30 Apr. 2025
The logical conclusion is that discriminatory speech is an issue everywhere the sport is played with people from disparate backgrounds.
—Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
McClanahan, who is Black, accuses the restaurant of discriminatory dress code enforcement, favoring white patrons.
—Real-Time News Team, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 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 10 May. 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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