1
as in discriminatory
favoring, applying, or being unequal treatment of different classes of people
accused of discriminating practices in the hiring of employees
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in characteristic
serving to identify as belonging to an individual or group
a discriminating feature of poison ivy is a compound leaf with three mitten-shaped leaflets
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in differentiating
to understand or point out the difference in
the human eye can discriminate between very slight gradations of color
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of discriminating
IEEE Spectrum, 4 June 2025
Perhaps audiences aren't so much bored with superhero movies as becoming more discriminating in their choices.
—Ars Technica, 23 Dec. 2024
Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
The last two seasons have been challenging for Canha, a discriminating hitter with some pop.
—Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for discriminating
Adjective
Turning Selectivity Into Strategy A range of more discriminating strategies have been explored, including tweaking the shape and timing of electrical pulses and using multi-contact electrodes to maneuver currents in specific directions.
—IEEE Spectrum, 4 June 2025
Perhaps audiences aren't so much bored with superhero movies as becoming more discriminating in their choices.
—Ars Technica, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
But discriminating Chicago-area musical-goers would be well advised to look for the name of the director, Jessica Fisch, when making their choices, especially if the theater involves a schlep.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
The last two seasons have been challenging for Canha, a discriminating hitter with some pop.
—Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for discriminating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discriminating
Adjective
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The discriminatory language wasn’t stripped from the state’s Constitution until 1950 for Native Americans, 1962 for residents of Chinese descent, and 1982 for Mormons.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The teacher alleged Licata created a hostile work environment, made discriminatory comments and ultimately kept the teacher from advancing in his career.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
As the caring Moon enters Leo and your 5th House of Ingenuity, you’re filled with bold, Leonine energy — a perfect counterpart to your sign’s characteristic courage.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
27 Mar. 2026
-
His durability is a standout characteristic but, naturally, it is being tested.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Anonymity will continue to be Reddit’s differentiating factor.—
Jibin Joseph,
PC Magazine,
26 Mar. 2026
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Or, at least, differentiating that the sandwiches Wawa and other convenience stores and delis in the area sell are in fact called hoagies.—
Kaitlyn McCormick,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The Labor Department has also gutted the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, an agency that has audited the pay practices of major companies and obtained hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for women and minorities who have suffered from unfair policies.—
Jacqueline Munis,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
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The lawsuit alleges that THCa is functionally identical to marijuana, and that the stores have an unfair competitive advantage by operating outside of the state’s regulatory framework.—
Jack Harvel,
Kansas City Star,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The criterion of self-consciousness, meanwhile, is of no use for the practical task of distinguishing between human and nonhuman digital activity.—
Andrey Mir,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
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Per Alström, a researcher involved in the study, described the challenge of distinguishing the two species by conventional means.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The first phase of the project includes full replacement of Gampel’s distinctive, but often troublesome roof, made of metal-clad, insulated triangular panels.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The poster for Norwood Park features the distinctive, colorful exterior of the Superdawg drive-in hot dog stand.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Food and drink Like everything else at The Rooster, the food has a distinct sense of place but also a cosmopolitan sensibility.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
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Because of its distinct grooves and marks, the stone piece was believed to be some kind of board game – but obviously no rulebook was dug up to confirm this.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Games that still are too typical of the NCAA women’s tournament where the higher seed seldom loses.—
Mac Engel
March 31,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Food and drink At first glance, Harriet’s Rooftop & Lounge seemed like a typical NYC rooftop—the kind of place where views take priority and food is an afterthought.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Discriminating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discriminating. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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