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

In three separate rulings, the California Department of Education has determined that the Oakland Unified School District created a “discriminatory environment” against Jewish students and staff, contradicting the district’s findings.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Yet in a provocative new book, The Caste Con Census, scholar-activist Anand Teltumbde warns that the exercise may harden the deeply discriminatory caste system, when the need is to dismantle it.

Read more on BBC

He was asked to consider three sets of allegations against Laura Anne Jones, including a complaint that she had made a racist comment and failed to address discriminatory behaviour.

Read more on BBC

“The pronouns provision constitutes a regulation of discriminatory conduct that incidentally affects speech,” the court ruled.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

This view can justify racially discriminatory practices, such as preferential treatment based on skin color, as a corrective.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• biased 
• inequitable 
• prejudiced 
• unfair