discriminatory

adjective

dis·​crim·​i·​na·​to·​ry di-ˈskri-mə-nə-ˌtȯr-ē 

-ˈskrim-nə-

1

: discriminative sense 1

2

: applying or favoring discrimination in treatment

discriminatorily

di-ˌskri-mə-nə-ˈtȯr-ə-lē 

-ˌskrim-nə-

adverb

Synonyms

• differential
• discriminating
• discriminational
• discriminative

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

Signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on August 6, 1965, the historical legislation outlawed the discriminatory voting practices adopted in many southern states after the Civil War, including literacy tests and poll taxes as a prerequisite to voting. —Maya Homan, USA TODAY, 13 Sep. 2024

Seeking to address age discrimination, officials last month pledged to crack down on hiring biases, including by targeting job ads that contain discriminatory language on gender and age. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune Asia, 11 Sep. 2024

This can lead to responses that are unfair, discriminatory or culturally insensitive. —Todd Fisher, Forbes, 11 Sep. 2024

This bill allows the federal government to prohibit discriminatory state-level action against minoritized groups, regardless of the intentions of such action. —Trans Formations Project, Them, 6 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1745, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids 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

discriminatorily

-ˌkri-mə-nə-ˈtōr-ə-lē 

adverb