discriminate

verb

To treat or affect differently, depending on differences in traits.

(intransitive, construed with against) To make decisions harmful to (a person or group) based on prejudice.

(intransitive) To make distinctions.

(transitive) To set apart as being different; to mark as different; to separate from another by discerning differences; to distinguish.

(intransitive, construed with against, uncommon) To infringe upon (a person's rights) in a prejudicial manner.

adjective

Having its differences marked; distinguished by certain tokens.

Roots

disdis- · Latin · apart, not crimen-crimin · Latin · charge, judgment

Synonyms for discriminate

distinguishv differentiatev contradistinguishv segregatev separateadj subtilizev

Synonyms & related words for discriminate

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of discriminate — including distinguish, differentiate, contradistinguish, segregate, separate, subtilize. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to discriminate

Explore words related to discriminate — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include discriminately, discriminatingly, discriminatory, nondiscriminatory, discrimination, discriminative, discriminator, indiscrimination. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for discriminate

Common synonyms for discriminate include distinguish, differentiate, contradistinguish, segregate, separate, subtilize — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does discriminate come from?

The word discriminate breaks down into 2 roots of Latin origin: dis-, from Latin dis (“apart, not”); and -crimin, from Latin crimen (“charge, judgment”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.