discriminate Definition
- 1to treat a person or particular group of people differently, especially in a worse way from the way in which you treat other people, because of their skin color, sex, sexuality, etc.
- 2to recognize a difference between things
Using discriminate: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "discriminate" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
It is illegal to discriminate against someone based on their race or gender.
Example
The company was accused of discriminating against older workers.
Example
She can discriminate between different types of wine.
discriminate Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for discriminate
Phrases with discriminate
to treat someone unfairly because of their race, sex, sexuality, etc.
Example
The law prohibits employers from discriminating against employees based on their age.
the ability to judge the quality of something, especially food or drink
Example
He has a discriminating taste in wine and only drinks the finest vintages.
the practice of giving preferential treatment to members of a minority group over members of a majority group, especially in employment or education
Example
Some argue that affirmative action policies amount to reverse discrimination against white people.
Origins of discriminate
from Latin 'discriminare', meaning 'to divide'
Summary: discriminate in Brief
The verb 'discriminate' [dɪˈskrɪmɪneɪt] has two main meanings. The first refers to treating someone unfairly because of their race, sex, sexuality, etc. For example, 'It is illegal to discriminate against someone based on their race or gender.' The second meaning is to recognize a difference between things. For instance, 'She can discriminate between different types of wine.' Other phrases include 'discriminate against,' 'discriminating taste,' and 'reverse discrimination.'
