Discriminatory: meaning, definitions and examples

Used in legal or formal contexts to describe actions or policies that exclude or disadvantage people based on characteristics like race, gender, age, etc.

• The company's hiring practices were found to be discriminatory against women.
• Discriminatory laws were abolished to ensure equality for all citizens.

Used when describing a preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience, often negative and harmful.

• He is prejudiced against immigrants.
• Her prejudiced views made it difficult for her to make friends from different cultures.

Used to describe a person's or entity's inclination towards or against someone or something, often in a way considered to be unfair.

• The news article was clearly biased in favor of the government.
• She has a biased opinion about the new manager.

Used in everyday language to describe actions, rules, or situations that are not just or equitable.

• It was unfair that he was punished for something he didn't do.
• The grading system in the exam was unfair to students who studied hard.

Duplicate entry; see above.

Refers to situations or actions that are unfair or unjust, often in terms of distribution of resources or opportunities.

• The inequitable distribution of wealth is a growing concern in many countries.
• Her contract terms were found to be inequitable compared to her male colleagues.

Describes conditions or regimes that are harsh, cruel, or inflict undue hardship and suffering on people.

• The oppressive government silenced its critics through censorship and imprisonment.
• The weather became oppressive as temperatures soared above 40 degrees.

Often used in a more neutral or technical context to describe a process or ability that distinguishes between different items or groups.

• The discriminative ability of the test helps in identifying high-achieving students.
• Their discriminative skills are crucial in quality control.