discriminate

[dih-skrim-uh-neyt, dih-skrim-uh-nit]

verb (used without object)

discriminated, discriminating 

1. to make a distinction in favor of or against a person or thing on the basis of the group, class, or category to which the person or thing belongs rather than according to actual merit; show partiality.

   The new law discriminates against foreigners. He discriminates in favor of his relatives.

2. to note or observe a difference; distinguish accurately.

   to discriminate between things.

verb (used with object)

discriminated, discriminating 

1. to make or constitute a distinction in or between; differentiate.

   a mark that discriminates the original from the copy.

2. to note or distinguish as different.

   He can discriminate minute variations in tone.

adjective

1. marked by discrimination; making or evidencing nice distinctions.

   discriminate people; discriminate judgments.

discriminate

verb

1. (intr; usually foll by in favour of or against) to single out a particular person, group, etc, for special favour or, esp, disfavour, often because of a characteristic such as race, colour, sex, intelligence, etc

2. to recognize or understand the difference (between); distinguish

   to discriminate right and wrong

   to discriminate between right and wrong

3. (intr) to constitute or mark a difference

4. (intr) to be discerning in matters of taste

adjective

1. showing or marked by discrimination

Other Word Forms

• discriminately adverb
• half-discriminated adjective
• prediscriminate verb (used with object)
• undiscriminated adjective
• discriminator noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of discriminate¹

First recorded in 1620–30; from Latin discrīminātus “separated,” past participle of discrīmināre “to separate”; discriminant

Word History and Origins

Origin of discriminate¹

C17: from Latin discrīmināre to divide, from discrīmen a separation, from discernere to _discern

Synonym Study

See distinguish.

Example Sentences

That requirement aimed to ensure that new laws would not discriminate against Black voters, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

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Police standards also require officers not to discriminate unlawfully or unfairly.

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The NAHT's Mr Bowen said he believed a lot of the problems stemmed from a legal judgement in 2018, which found that younger members of government schemes were effectively discriminated against.

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Ali, who won a landmark case against the Green Party of England and Wales in February 2024, has accused the party of "procedural abuse", and continuing to discriminate against him for his gender critical beliefs.

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Once the bill becomes law, the government will ban Section 21 "no-fault" evictions, give tenants greater rights to challenge rent increases and make it illegal to discriminate against prospective tenants on benefits.

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Related Words

• assess 
• discern 
• distinguish between www.thesaurus.com
• evaluate 
• narrow down www.thesaurus.com
• segregate 
• specify