1
as in discriminatory
favoring, applying, or being unequal treatment of different classes of people
accused of discriminating practices in the hiring of employees
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in characteristic
serving to identify as belonging to an individual or group
a discriminating feature of poison ivy is a compound leaf with three mitten-shaped leaflets
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in differentiating
to understand or point out the difference in
the human eye can discriminate between very slight gradations of color
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of discriminating
IEEE Spectrum, 4 June 2025
Perhaps audiences aren't so much bored with superhero movies as becoming more discriminating in their choices.
—Ars Technica, 23 Dec. 2024
Jem Aswad, Variety, 26 Feb. 2026
A student’s religious viewpoint must be treated the same way as a student’s secular viewpoint, and district officials are barred from discriminating against a student based on their religious views.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for discriminating
Adjective
Turning Selectivity Into Strategy A range of more discriminating strategies have been explored, including tweaking the shape and timing of electrical pulses and using multi-contact electrodes to maneuver currents in specific directions.
—IEEE Spectrum, 4 June 2025
Perhaps audiences aren't so much bored with superhero movies as becoming more discriminating in their choices.
—Ars Technica, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
The group is not usually overly discriminating in licensing its intellectual property for films and multiple other uses.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 26 Feb. 2026
A student’s religious viewpoint must be treated the same way as a student’s secular viewpoint, and district officials are barred from discriminating against a student based on their religious views.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for discriminating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discriminating
Adjective
-
The law was originally enacted to help undo discriminatory Jim Crow racial segregation and protect the voting rights of Black people.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
But Fultz underscores that the bill was introduced because the previous legislation was deemed unconstitutional and discriminatory by Canadian courts.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Some had characteristic ticks etched along their outer edges, while others looked like small sticks cut lengthwise, with a flat and a curved side—forms that their makers crafted deliberately to produce random outcomes.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The show is curated by the artist’s daughters, Aiko Cuneo and Addie Lanier, and will feature many characteristic pieces.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Anonymity will continue to be Reddit’s differentiating factor.—
Jibin Joseph,
PC Magazine,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Or, at least, differentiating that the sandwiches Wawa and other convenience stores and delis in the area sell are in fact called hoagies.—
Kaitlyn McCormick,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Dan Sachs, vice president of state and local policy at Meta, wrote in the letter that the legislation is unfair.—
Angela Palermo,
Idaho Statesman,
2 Apr. 2026
-
This may sound wildly unfair, but there’s some good news.—
Julia Daye,
Popular Science,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The criterion of self-consciousness, meanwhile, is of no use for the practical task of distinguishing between human and nonhuman digital activity.—
Andrey Mir,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Per Alström, a researcher involved in the study, described the challenge of distinguishing the two species by conventional means.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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On this postcard-perfect corner of Canada’s northeastern province of Newfoundland and Labrador that’s slammed by wind and waves, cod-fishing communities hold on to their distinctive settler history.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The Hyundai also boasts a distinctive design that sets it apart from other SUVs.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Designed to evoke the Golden Age of travel, the ridged shell has a distinct midcentury sensibility and a presence few other cases can match.—
Charley Ward,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Typically speaking, modern wars tend to consist of various distinct phases, the first of which tends to be to blind the enemy.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Games that still are too typical of the NCAA women’s tournament where the higher seed seldom loses.—
Mac Engel
March 31,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Food and drink At first glance, Harriet’s Rooftop & Lounge seemed like a typical NYC rooftop—the kind of place where views take priority and food is an afterthought.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Discriminating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discriminating. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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