discriminatory
adjective
dis·crim·i·na·to·ry
di-ˈskri-mə-nə-ˌtȯr-ē 
-ˈskrim-nə-
2
: applying or favoring discrimination in treatment
Examples of discriminatory in a Sentence
The law prohibits discriminatory hiring practices.
a company that was fined for its discriminatory practices in the hiring of women
Recent Examples on the Web
These areas had experienced decades of disinvestment, tied to redlining, racist housing covenants and other discriminatory policies, making them among the city’s more affordable neighborhoods.
—
Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
Like many public pools across the United States during the first half of the twentieth century, the Brookside Plunge operated under discriminatory practices that effectively excluded African Americans and other minorities from equal access.
—Tim Genske, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
The decision called into question several lower-court rulings issued under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, including a 2023 order requiring Georgia to redraw portions of its congressional map after it was found to be discriminatory.
—Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 17 June 2026
That statement had its own discriminatory ring.
—Logan Smith, CBS News, 15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for discriminatory
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Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
Like many public pools across the United States during the first half of the twentieth century, the Brookside Plunge operated under discriminatory practices that effectively excluded African Americans and other minorities from equal access.
—Tim Genske, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
The decision called into question several lower-court rulings issued under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, including a 2023 order requiring Georgia to redraw portions of its congressional map after it was found to be discriminatory.
—Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 17 June 2026
That statement had its own discriminatory ring.
—Logan Smith, CBS News, 15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for discriminatory
Cite this Entry
“Discriminatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discriminatory. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
discriminatory
adjective
dis·crim·i·na·to·ry
dis-ˈkrim-(ə-)nə-ˌtōr-ē
-ˌtȯr-
: showing discrimination : being unfair
discriminatory treatment
Legal Definition
discriminatory
adjective
dis·crim·i·na·to·ry
dis-ˈkri-mə-nə-ˌtōr-ē
1
: applying discrimination in treatment
2
: having unlawful discrimination as an effect
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