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

Greer recently threatened External link tariff hikes or other measures if the EU didn’t ease up on “discriminatory and harassing lawsuits, taxes, fines, and directives” against U.S. technology.

From Barron's

"The League has a dedicated team that works hard to identify, compile evidence against, and help prosecute perpetrators of such abuse, with more than 4,000 cases of online discriminatory abuse investigated since 2020."

From BBC

That may include cutting funding for textbooks or other materials found to be discriminatory.

From Los Angeles Times

"This is not discriminatory. It is not aimed at American companies," he added.

From BBC

Sefcovic insisted the EU's rules were "not discriminatory" or "aimed at American companies".

From Barron's

Related Words

• biased
• inequitable
• prejudiced
• unfair