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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
-
Many schools that served mostly low-income students were issued D’s and F’s, which many educators and parents found unfair.—
Steven Walker,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 July 2025
-
But South Korean cars from Hyundai and Kia factor significantly into the $66-billion trade deficit that Trump has decried as unfair.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
13 July 2025
Adjective
-
The argument has been made that the application of the death penalty represents the legitimate self-defense of society from an unjust aggressor — that is, the murderer.—
Thomas Wenski,
Sun Sentinel,
13 July 2025
-
On the back of their most successful Premier League season, this outcome threatens to overshadow their outstanding achievement and the joy that came with it in the most unjust manner.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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 21 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share