discriminatory

American  

[dih-skrim-uh-nuh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] / dɪˈskrɪm ə nəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i /

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.

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discriminatory British  

/ -trɪ, dɪˈskrɪmɪnətɪv, dɪˈskrɪmɪnətərɪ /

adjective

1. based on or showing prejudice; biased

2. capable of making fine distinctions

3. (of a statistical test) unbiased

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Other Word Forms

• discriminatorily adverb
• nondiscriminatory adjective
• undiscriminatory adjective

Etymology

Origin of discriminatory

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

Example Sentences

As it stands, she said milk time could be discriminatory for those with allergies as, without alternatives, some children are excluded.

From BBC

Illinois prohibits using AI in hiring decisions with discriminatory outcomes—a reasonable goal—but defines AI so broadly that nearly any recommendation system, including statistical methods that go back centuries, may be implicated.

From The Wall Street Journal

County said in a statement none of the reviews of the fire response has found “any discriminatory or structural bias in the County’s response.”

From Los Angeles Times

United said they have been working with Fletcher to "strengthen his understanding of discriminatory language and why it is harmful".

From BBC

However, European football's governing body said there was enough evidence to adequately support a "prima facie" case against him in relation to the use of discriminatory language.

From BBC

Related Words

• biased
• inequitable
• prejudiced
• unfair