discriminate

[dih-skrim-uh-neyt, dih-skrim-uh-nit]

verb (used without object)

discriminated, discriminating 

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)

discriminated, discriminating 

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. to recognize or understand the difference (between); distinguish

   to discriminate right and wrong

   to discriminate between 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

Other Word Forms

• discriminator noun
• discriminately adverb
• half-discriminated adjective
• prediscriminate verb (used with object)
• undiscriminated 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

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has terminated a consent order that prohibited Citibank from discriminating against its Armenian American customers.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It also cautioned that ad hoc trade deals "would not meaningfully reduce trade policy uncertainty" and could trigger "tit-for-tat dynamics" if they discriminate against third countries.

Read more on Barron's

The Cookware Sustainability Alliance filed a lawsuit arguing the law discriminated against out-of-state commerce.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Section 2 bars voting practices that discriminate based on race.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Those regulations are an underappreciated aspect of Obamacare, requiring all insurance companies to actually cover health care and not discriminate.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• assess 
• discern 
• distinguish between www.thesaurus.com
• evaluate 
• narrow down www.thesaurus.com
• segregate 
• specify