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
The right of first refusal offered by the for-cause protections is important, those supporters argue, because landlords can use expiring leases to displace tenants for a variety of nefarious reasons, like for discriminatory purposes or if a tenant has complained about an apartment’s condition.
—
Seth Klamann, The Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2024
The professors argued that the DEI layoffs were discriminatory and violated the employees’ right to freedom of expression.
—Char Adams, NBC News, 18 Apr. 2024
The Supreme Court ruled that job transfers don't have to include a change in rank or pay to be deemed discriminatory.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 18 Apr. 2024
The end came soon after Louisiana sued the agency, arguing that focusing on policies that may harm one group more than another but weren’t intentionally discriminatory went too far.
—Michael Phillis, Twin Cities, 17 Apr. 2024
These groups are responsible for investigating and recommending discipline in cases of police misconduct, including excessive use of force, abuse of authority and discriminatory language.
—Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2024
Last year France banned the abaya – a long, robe-like garment often worn by Muslim women – despite warnings its prohibition was discriminatory.
—Joseph Ataman, CNN, 28 Mar. 2024
This woman should be reprimanded for her discriminatory behavior.
—Harriette Cole, The Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2024
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
Seth Klamann, The Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2024
The professors argued that the DEI layoffs were discriminatory and violated the employees’ right to freedom of expression.
—Char Adams, NBC News, 18 Apr. 2024
The Supreme Court ruled that job transfers don't have to include a change in rank or pay to be deemed discriminatory.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 18 Apr. 2024
The end came soon after Louisiana sued the agency, arguing that focusing on policies that may harm one group more than another but weren’t intentionally discriminatory went too far.
—Michael Phillis, Twin Cities, 17 Apr. 2024
These groups are responsible for investigating and recommending discipline in cases of police misconduct, including excessive use of force, abuse of authority and discriminatory language.
—Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2024
Last year France banned the abaya – a long, robe-like garment often worn by Muslim women – despite warnings its prohibition was discriminatory.
—Joseph Ataman, CNN, 28 Mar. 2024
This woman should be reprimanded for her discriminatory behavior.
—Harriette Cole, The Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2024
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
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 23 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share