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
Opponents argue that Proposition 2 is discriminatory because lower-income districts would get a bigger share of the money.
—
Andre Mouchard, Orange County Register, 5 Nov. 2024
Brandon wrote: East Harlem is one of America’s prime examples of how past investment decisions and discriminatory housing practices crowded poor and minority residents together and then turned up the heat on them.
—Shaun McKinnon, The Arizona Republic, 4 Nov. 2024
The parents sought to send their children to Orthodox Jewish schools and argued that the state’s policy of barring funding for religious institutions was discriminatory.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2024
During this phase, the Israeli state and the Palestine Liberation Organization will agree to find and void all laws, policies, and practices that are discriminatory or in violation of international law.
—Marwan Muasher, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for discriminatory 
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.
Andre Mouchard, Orange County Register, 5 Nov. 2024
Brandon wrote: East Harlem is one of America’s prime examples of how past investment decisions and discriminatory housing practices crowded poor and minority residents together and then turned up the heat on them.
—Shaun McKinnon, The Arizona Republic, 4 Nov. 2024
The parents sought to send their children to Orthodox Jewish schools and argued that the state’s policy of barring funding for religious institutions was discriminatory.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2024
During this phase, the Israeli state and the Palestine Liberation Organization will agree to find and void all laws, policies, and practices that are discriminatory or in violation of international law.
—Marwan Muasher, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for discriminatory
Dictionary Entries Near discriminatory
Cite this Entry
“Discriminatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discriminatory. Accessed 23 Nov. 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