discriminatory
adjective
dis·crim·i·na·to·ry
di-ˈskri-mə-nə-ˌtȯr-ē 
-ˈskrim-nə-
2
: applying or favoring discrimination in treatment
Synonyms
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
For instance, in Milwaukee, discriminatory housing practices have pushed communities of color and low-income communities into flood zones and urban heat islands.
—
Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2024
In January 2023, the three-judge panel concluded that state lawmakers racially gerrymandered Congressional District 1 and designed it with racially discriminatory intent.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2024
China on Tuesday filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization against the U.S., claiming that a $7,500 U.S. tax credit for certain EVs is discriminatory.
—William Gavin, Quartz, 27 Mar. 2024
Credit scores have long been viewed by critics as arbitrary—mostly because there are so many factors that affect them —and some people even view them as discriminatory.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2024
Since the publication of the Reparation Task Force’s report last June, several Assembly members have proposed bills that would offer an apology and provide compensation to African Americans who lost property due to discriminatory policies.
—Jonathan Van Harmelen, The Mercury News, 19 Mar. 2024
For the same reason, courts do not annul elections later deemed to have taken place under racially discriminatory gerrymandering schemes.
—David D. Kirkpatrick, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2024
Even though according to the World Economic Forum, Black women receive just 0.34 percent of venture-capital funds in the United States, Blum declared the fund to be racially discriminatory.
—Nikole Hannah-Jones, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024
The organizations also said the policy was discriminatory against Black officers, who are more likely than others to suffer from pseudofolliculitis barbae, a medical condition in which shaving can cause severe inflammation of the skin.
—Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2024
Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2024
In January 2023, the three-judge panel concluded that state lawmakers racially gerrymandered Congressional District 1 and designed it with racially discriminatory intent.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2024
China on Tuesday filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization against the U.S., claiming that a $7,500 U.S. tax credit for certain EVs is discriminatory.
—William Gavin, Quartz, 27 Mar. 2024
Credit scores have long been viewed by critics as arbitrary—mostly because there are so many factors that affect them —and some people even view them as discriminatory.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2024
Since the publication of the Reparation Task Force’s report last June, several Assembly members have proposed bills that would offer an apology and provide compensation to African Americans who lost property due to discriminatory policies.
—Jonathan Van Harmelen, The Mercury News, 19 Mar. 2024
For the same reason, courts do not annul elections later deemed to have taken place under racially discriminatory gerrymandering schemes.
—David D. Kirkpatrick, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2024
Even though according to the World Economic Forum, Black women receive just 0.34 percent of venture-capital funds in the United States, Blum declared the fund to be racially discriminatory.
—Nikole Hannah-Jones, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024
The organizations also said the policy was discriminatory against Black officers, who are more likely than others to suffer from pseudofolliculitis barbae, a medical condition in which shaving can cause severe inflammation of the skin.
—Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'discriminatory.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near discriminatory
Cite this Entry
“Discriminatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discriminatory. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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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