discriminatory

[dih-skrim-uh-nuh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee]

adjective

1. characterized by or showing prejudicial treatment, especially as an indication of bias related to age, race, skin color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, etc..

   Discriminatory practices in housing historically led to racially segregated neighborhoods.

   They passed a discriminatory tax mainly impacting immigrants to the country.

2. discriminative.

discriminatory

/ -trɪ, dɪˈskrɪmɪnətɪv, dɪˈskrɪmɪnətərɪ /

adjective

1. based on or showing prejudice; biased

2. capable of making fine distinctions

3. (of a statistical test) unbiased

Other Word Forms

• discriminatorily adverb
• nondiscriminatory adjective
• undiscriminatory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of discriminatory¹

First recorded in 1820–30; discriminate + -ory ¹

Example Sentences

The current directive is unconstitutional, discriminatory and scientifically unsound.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He used "highly racist and discriminatory remarks" about different ethnic groups, the hearing found.

Read more on BBC

"What we are saying is that now that they are reinstating the funding, can they then also push that discriminatory practices... should basically be stopped," he said.

Read more on Barron's

The National Alliance on Mental Illness calls conversion therapy “discredited, discriminatory, and harmful,” and supports bans on a practice it says can damage, not improve, the mental health of those who undergo it.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“This choice, to take the side of the bank against the wronged in the face of the most plainly discriminatory conduct, will cast a long shadow over the community.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• biased 
• inequitable 
• prejudiced 
• unfair