discriminative

American  

[dih-skrim-uh-ney-tiv, -nuh-tiv] / dɪˈskrɪm əˌneɪ tɪv, -nə tɪv /

adjective

1. constituting a particular quality, trait, or difference; characteristic; notable.

2. making distinctions; discriminating. discriminating.

3. discriminatory.

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Other Word Forms

• discriminatively adverb
• nondiscriminative adjective
• nondiscriminatively adverb

Etymology

Origin of discriminative

First recorded in 1630–40; discriminate + -ive

Example Sentences

Moreover, it promotes the use of more comprehensive and discriminative features.

From Science Daily • Jan. 9, 2024

Our skin gives us the power of discriminative touch, which allows us to feel the pressure, texture and vibration of objects.

From Washington Post • Feb. 9, 2023

Light touch, also known as discriminative touch, is a light pressure that allows the location of a stimulus to be pinpointed.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

"I would like to reinforce that I do not and will not condone discriminative language or behaviour of any kind aimed at the Jewish community or any other community."

From BBC • Jan. 25, 2022

The discriminative laws enacted by England had held down the progress of the trading class; these laws overthrown, the traders rose rapidly from a subordinate position to the supreme class in point of wealth.

From History of the Great American Fortunes, Vol. I Conditions in Settlement and Colonial Times by Gustavus, Myers