discriminate

[ verb dih-skrim-uh-neyt; adjective dih-skrim-uh-nit ]

verb (used without object)

, dis·crim·i·nat·ed, dis·crim·i·nat·ing.

1. to make a distinction in favor of or against a person or thing on the basis of the group, class, or category to which the person or thing belongs rather than according to actual merit; show partiality:

   The new law discriminates against foreigners. He discriminates in favor of his relatives.

2. to note or observe a difference; distinguish accurately:

   to discriminate between things.

verb (used with object)

, dis·crim·i·nat·ed, dis·crim·i·nat·ing.

1. to make or constitute a distinction in or between; differentiate:

   a mark that discriminates the original from the copy.

2. to note or distinguish as different:

   He can discriminate minute variations in tone.

adjective

1. marked by discrimination; making or evidencing nice distinctions:

   discriminate people; discriminate judgments.

discriminate

verb

1. intr; usually foll by in favour of or against to single out a particular person, group, etc, for special favour or, esp, disfavour, often because of a characteristic such as race, colour, sex, intelligence, etc
2. whenintr, foll by between or among to recognize or understand the difference (between); distinguish

   to discriminate between right and wrong

   to discriminate right and wrong

3. intr to constitute or mark a difference
4. intr to be discerning in matters of taste

adjective

1. showing or marked by discrimination

Derived Forms

• disˈcrimiˌnator, noun
• disˈcriminately, adverb

Other Words From

• dis·crimi·nate·ly adverb
• half-dis·crimi·nated adjective
• predis·crimi·nate verb (used with object) prediscriminated prediscriminating
• undis·crimi·nated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of discriminate¹

First recorded in 1620–30; from Latin discrīminātus “separated,” past participle of discrīmināre “to separate”; discriminant

Word History and Origins

Origin of discriminate¹

C17: from Latin discrīmināre to divide, from discrīmen a separation, from discernere to discern

Synonym Study

See distinguish.

Example Sentences

And it stands as a bulwark against state efforts to discriminate against American citizens because their parents lacked permanent legal status.

From Slate

“When we got there we were told to discriminate against people,” a whistleblower told the outlet.

From BBC

It does not discriminate, says Samir, who is Christian and is the head of operations at the station in Zahle - a predominantly Christian town, dominated by a statue of the Virgin Mary, which rises 54m above a hilltop.

From BBC

“We don't discriminate between them.”

From BBC

When Slate reached out about this, Germanotta responded with a statement through a representative: “I have not nor will ever endorse any national legislation that inhibits anyone’s rights for personal or artistic expression. Assigning any derogatory labels that discriminate against personal identity is wrong and we do not tolerate it at Joanne’s.”

From Slate

Related Words

• assess
• discern
• distinguish between
• evaluate
• narrow down
• segregate
• specify