discriminatory

USAGE SUMMARY

'discriminatory' is a correct word in written English.
You can use it to describe an action or practice that favors one group over another based on qualities such as race, gender, or age. For example, "The company was found to have engaged in discriminatory hiring practices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is discriminatory in and of itself; little more than a sub-branch of Marxism that sees women as a class.

The Guardian - Opinion

The London-based human rights campaigner, Peter Tatchell, said the Kuwaiti proposal was unjust and discriminatory towards transgender people.

The Guardian

Corrigan said people in Northern Ireland should show they are "sick of living in a discriminatory backwater for gay people".

The Guardian

After decades of waning organized labor power and wage stagnation, issues of worker rights and discriminatory pay inequity have moved to the forefront of an ongoing national conversation about wealth inequality in America.

The Guardian

Unfortunately, not only do many NGOs allow discrimination based on sexual orientation to happen in their countries of operation, but they even justify discriminatory attitudes with religious and cultural arguments, let alone if there is no supportive legal body in that particular country.

The Guardian

Part of the softening of politicians to be receptive to the most extreme views on Israel and Palestine comes from those sponsored trips, coupled with relatively weak Palestinian advocacy and a post 9/11 context which paints Arabs with a discriminatory brush.

The Guardian - Opinion

The 2015 progress report, Transforming economies, realising rights, published on Monday, said current economic policies and discriminatory laws and attitudes are failing women in rich and poor countries.

The Guardian

The Russian foreign ministry delivered a protest note to the German embassy in Moscow over attempts to stop the gang from entering Berlin – where they want to gather at a Russian war memorial in the former East Berlin – calling the opposition "discriminatory and politically motivated".

The Guardian

The legal decision was based on a finding that the act was discriminatory (as it only applied to foreign nationals) and that it breached the right to liberty guaranteed under Article 5.

The Guardian - Opinion

Indigenous people were left outside the process which led to the drafting of the Australian constitution, and the only references in the document were discriminatory.

The Guardian

The only references in the document were discriminatory.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about policies or practices, specify the group or groups being discriminated against to provide clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using the word "discriminatory" when you simply mean to differentiate between options. "Discrimination" implies unfair or biased treatment, not just recognition of differences.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "discriminatory" modifies nouns to describe something that shows prejudice or bias. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its primary function is to characterize actions, policies, or behaviors that unfairly target specific groups. The Ludwig examples showcase this function in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "discriminatory" is a powerful term used to describe actions, policies, or behaviors that exhibit unfair bias or prejudice. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly found in formal contexts, particularly in news and media, business, and legal discussions. When using "discriminatory", ensure to specify the affected groups to provide clarity. Alternative terms like "biased", "prejudiced", and "unfair" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Be cautious not to confuse "discriminatory" with simply differentiating between options, as the former implies unethical or illegal bias. Ludwig's examples show widespread usage across authoritative sources like The Guardian and The Economist, underscoring its importance in discussing matters of social justice and equity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

biased

Focuses on the presence of prejudice or a leaning towards one side.

prejudiced

Emphasizes preconceived judgments or biases against a group.

unfair

Highlights the lack of justice or equity in treatment.

inequitable

Stresses the lack of fairness in distribution or opportunity.

partial

Implies favoring one party over others without justification.

unjust

Underscores the violation of moral principles or rights.

preferential

Indicates giving advantages to some over others.

invidious

Suggests causing resentment or offense due to unfairness.

unequal

Points out disparities in treatment or opportunities.

bigoted

Highlights intolerance and prejudice against certain groups.

FAQs

How is "discriminatory" used in a sentence?

The word "discriminatory" is used to describe something that unfairly targets a specific group. For example, "The new policy was considered "discriminatory" towards older employees".

What are some alternatives to "discriminatory"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "biased", "prejudiced", or "unfair" to convey a similar meaning.

Is there a difference between "discriminatory" and "discriminating"?

"Discriminatory" describes something that involves unfair bias or prejudice. "Discriminating", on the other hand, can refer to having refined taste or the ability to make fine distinctions.

What makes a practice "discriminatory"?

A practice is considered "discriminatory" when it treats individuals or groups unfairly based on characteristics like race, gender, religion, or other protected attributes.