as in unfair
favoring, applying, or being unequal treatment of different classes of people
a company that was fined for its discriminatory practices in the hiring of women
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of discriminatory
In 2024, a U.S. Department of Justice investigation concluded that the Phoenix Police Department engaged in unconstitutional practices, including excessive force, discriminatory policing, and abuse against people experiencing homelessness and mental illness.
—
Miguel Torres, AZCentral.com, 3 July 2025
But fears of Black migration to the new state led Ohio lawmakers to pass several discriminatory laws, known as Black Laws, in 1804 and 1807 that restricted the rights of Black people.
—Jeff Suess, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
The nonprofit law firm will represent the county in a lawsuit alleging the redistricting of commissioners’ precincts approved June 3 is racially discriminatory.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2025
During this live stream on iPlayer, which reflected what was happening on stage, a warning was issued on screen about the very strong and discriminatory language.
—Thomas Smith, Billboard, 29 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for discriminatory
Miguel Torres, AZCentral.com, 3 July 2025
But fears of Black migration to the new state led Ohio lawmakers to pass several discriminatory laws, known as Black Laws, in 1804 and 1807 that restricted the rights of Black people.
—Jeff Suess, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
The nonprofit law firm will represent the county in a lawsuit alleging the redistricting of commissioners’ precincts approved June 3 is racially discriminatory.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2025
During this live stream on iPlayer, which reflected what was happening on stage, a warning was issued on screen about the very strong and discriminatory language.
—Thomas Smith, Billboard, 29 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for discriminatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discriminatory
Adjective
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In December, Lopez blocked that joint bid, saying the auction process was unfair, lacked transparency and the joint bid was questionable.—
Karoline Leonard,
Austin American Statesman,
5 July 2025
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To this day, Conner’s mother believes the settlement was unfair and saw it as a way to silence critics of the police.—
Kristine Phillips,
IndyStar,
4 July 2025
Adjective
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Social media companies have already gotten several claims dismissed, including a claim of unjust enrichment, Goetz said, because Nazario failed to respond to them.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 June 2025
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While courts in other states have peeled back this unjust advantage for government bureaucrats another venue for reform lies in democratic institutions—specifically, state legislatures.—
Jon Riches,
Oc Register,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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Noting the use of generative and discriminative AI pairs, Rus also compares a generative process - writing a book - to the traditional human way that this is done.—
John Werner,
Forbes,
11 Oct. 2024
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There's clearly larger work to be done in the diversity & inclusion space to help reduce discriminative hiring practices.—
Lindsay Kohler,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Discriminatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discriminatory. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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