discriminatory
dih-SKRIM-in-uh-tor-ee
/dɪˈskrɪm.ɪ.nə.tɔːr.i/
Making or showing an unfair or prejudicial distinction between different categories of people or things.
Always carries a negative connotation of bias and injustice when applied to social groups or policies.
The story behind the word. From Latin 'discernere', meaning to sift or separate. Originally neutral (meaning to tell things apart), the word shifted in the 19th century to mean making unfair distinctions against social groups.
Word relationships
- prejudiced: Prejudiced describes internal attitudes and beliefs, whereas discriminatory describes observable actions, rules, or behaviors.
- biased: Biased can mean favoring one side in any context; discriminatory specifically implies unfair treatment of protected groups.
- equitable: Equitable means fair, impartial, and just to all parties.
- impartial: Impartial means treating all rivals or disputants equally.
Commonly confused with
- discriminating: Discriminatory means showing unfair bias; discriminating means possessing refined taste and discernment.
Word family
- discriminate (verb): To treat people unfairly based on category.
- discrimination (noun): Unfair treatment based on category.
Collocations
- discriminatory practices
- discriminatory policy
- discriminatory treatment
- discriminatory laws
Example sentences
- "The Fair Housing Act of 1968 prohibited discriminatory practices in the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race or origin." Civil rights legal history
- "Employees filed a lawsuit alleging that the company's hiring standards were discriminatory toward older applicants." Employment law
Memory hook
DISCRIMINATE + ORY = full of unfair distinctions. Sifting people unfairly.
When not to use
Do not confuse with 'discriminating', which can mean having good taste or refined judgment.
Fun facts
- In the 18th century, telling a gentleman he had a 'discriminating palate' was a major compliment about his refined taste.
Related words
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