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
In 1972, the Supreme Court ruled that Georgia’s death penalty as then applied was arbitrary and discriminatory, forcing all states to rewrite their laws and beef up their systems to provide for death row defense lawyers. —
The Week Us, TheWeek, 13 Apr. 2026 Again, if that case had been brought in a post-ACA 7 California state court, the district’s discriminatory policies would have been upheld. —Alison Somin, Oc Register, 10 Apr. 2026 The stadium announcer issued a warning to fans about the venue's policy against discriminatory behavior following reports of anti-Muslim chants. —Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026 Fans were warned against discriminatory behaviour by the stadium announcer after they were heard singing the anti-Muslim chant. —Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for discriminatory
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Week Us, TheWeek, 13 Apr. 2026 Again, if that case had been brought in a post-ACA 7 California state court, the district’s discriminatory policies would have been upheld. —Alison Somin, Oc Register, 10 Apr. 2026 The stadium announcer issued a warning to fans about the venue's policy against discriminatory behavior following reports of anti-Muslim chants. —Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026 Fans were warned against discriminatory behaviour by the stadium announcer after they were heard singing the anti-Muslim chant. —Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for discriminatory
Cite this Entry
“Discriminatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/discriminatory. Accessed 23 Apr. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
