discriminatory
adjective
dis·crim·i·na·to·ry
di-ˈskri-mə-nə-ˌtȯr-ē 
-ˈskrim-nə-
2
: applying or favoring discrimination in treatment
Examples of discriminatory in a Sentence
The law prohibits discriminatory hiring practices.
a company that was fined for its discriminatory practices in the hiring of women
Recent Examples on the Web
Jennings flatly rejected assertions that the administration hasn’t been discriminatory.
—
Chris Megerian, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
Public advocacy can take many forms: supporting advocacy organizations, opposing discriminatory legislation, joining business coalitions for equality, or simply making internal statements that acknowledge current challenges.
—Aparna Rae, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Not allowing manicurists to be classified as independent contractors under the state’s labor law is discriminatory, a new lawsuit from a group of nail salons in Southern California alleges.
—Lillian Ashworth, Oc Register, 6 June 2025
Grace Pai, executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Chicago, connected the travel ban to the Trump administration’s recent sweeping immigration crackdowns, calling both discriminatory against immigrants.
—Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for discriminatory
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Chris Megerian, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
Public advocacy can take many forms: supporting advocacy organizations, opposing discriminatory legislation, joining business coalitions for equality, or simply making internal statements that acknowledge current challenges.
—Aparna Rae, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Not allowing manicurists to be classified as independent contractors under the state’s labor law is discriminatory, a new lawsuit from a group of nail salons in Southern California alleges.
—Lillian Ashworth, Oc Register, 6 June 2025
Grace Pai, executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Chicago, connected the travel ban to the Trump administration’s recent sweeping immigration crackdowns, calling both discriminatory against immigrants.
—Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for discriminatory
Cite this Entry
“Discriminatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discriminatory. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
discriminatory
adjective
dis·crim·i·na·to·ry
dis-ˈkrim-(ə-)nə-ˌtōr-ē
-ˌtȯr-
: showing discrimination : being unfair
discriminatory treatment
Legal Definition
discriminatory
adjective
dis·crim·i·na·to·ry
dis-ˈkri-mə-nə-ˌtōr-ē
1
: applying discrimination in treatment
2
: having unlawful discrimination as an effect
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