Definition

1. Verb (transitive and intransitive):

   • To recognize or perceive a clear difference between two or more things; to distinguish. This is the core meaning, focusing on the ability to make fine distinctions.
   • To make an unjust or prejudicial distinction in the treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of ethnicity, sex, age, or disability. This meaning focuses on unfair treatment based on group membership.

2. Adjective (formal):

   • Showing good judgment or the ability to make careful distinctions. Describes a person or thing that is discerning or selective.

Usage Examples

• Verb (To distinguish):
  • A trained palate can discriminate between subtle flavors in wine.
  • The test is designed to discriminate students with advanced skills from those with basic knowledge.
• Verb (To treat unfairly):
  • It is illegal for employers to discriminate on the basis of gender.
  • The law was criticized for discriminating against minority groups.
• Adjective:
  • She has very discriminate taste in art, collecting only the most exceptional pieces.
  • The store caters to a discriminate clientele.

Advanced Usage

• "discriminate against" (phrasal verb): To treat a particular person or group worse than others.
  • The policy was found to discriminate against older applicants.
• "discriminate in favor of" (phrasal verb): To treat a particular person or group better than others.
  • Some argue that the scholarship program discriminates in favor of athletes.
• "discriminate between": To identify the differences separating two or more items.
  • A good judge must be able to discriminate between relevant and irrelevant evidence.

Variants and Related Words

• Discriminating (adjective): Having or showing refined taste or good judgment.
  • A discriminating reader.
• Discriminatory (adjective): Showing unfair or prejudicial treatment.
  • Discriminatory hiring practices.
• Discrimination (noun):
  • The act of distinguishing.

    • The discrimination of right from wrong.
  • The unjust treatment of different groups.

    • Racial discrimination.

Synonyms

• Distinguish, differentiate, discern (for the "perceive difference" meaning).
• Segregate, single out, show prejudice (for the "treat unfairly" meaning).
• Discerning, selective, judicious (for the adjective).

Antonyms

• Confuse, conflate, lump together (for the "perceive difference" meaning).
• Treat equally, be impartial (for the "treat unfairly" meaning).
• Indiscriminate, undiscerning (for the adjective).

Related Phrases

• The ability to discriminate: The capacity to make fine distinctions.
  • The test measures the ability to discriminate sounds.
• Discriminate on the grounds of...: To treat unfairly because of a specific characteristic.
  • It is unlawful to discriminate on the grounds of disability.

Adjective

1. marked by the ability to see or make fine distinctions
   • discriminate judgments
   • discriminate people

Verb

1. distinguish
   • I could not discriminate the different tastes in this complicated dish
2. treat differently on the basis of sex or race
3. recognize or perceive the difference