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View synonyms for discriminate

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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. showing or marked by discrimination
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • disˈcrimiˌnator, noun
  • disˈcriminately, adverb
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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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of discriminate1

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

Origin of discriminate1

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

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Example Sentences

McBride on Wednesday called the rule's inclusion an effort to “distract” from other issues, while Mace clarified the policy was “absolutely” an effort to discriminate against McBride directly.

From Salon

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

From BBC

It was, our correspondent said, shameful that disabled passengers flying out of British airports should still be discriminated against in this way.

From BBC

A former firefighter is suing Los Angeles County, alleging he was discriminated against over his disability and endured his co-worker’s homophobic harassment in the workplace.

An employee of the school claimed her hours were drastically cut and that she felt discriminated against based on her cultural background.

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discriminant functiondiscriminating