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

Those with knowledge of the matter have told the BBC there is a separate ongoing legal dispute over allegations the organisation's policies discriminate against disabled volunteers.

From BBC

It is one of many using civil rights law to claim that the Constitution is colorblind and any institutional practice or program dedicated to leveling the playing field for non-white people discriminates against white people.

From Salon

He did not specify which countries he was unhappy with, but attacked rules he claimed were "designed to harm, or discriminate against, American Technology" in an online post on Monday.

From BBC

"They make money from us and still dare to discriminate against Chinese people. We would be spineless if we don't boycott it out of China," another Weibo user said.

From BBC

His defenders in Carmel-by-the-Sea have questioned whether he has been discriminated against because he is too rich.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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