DISCRIMINATE Synonyms: 23 Similar and Opposite Words

discriminate

verb

di-ˈskri-mə-ˌnāt

Definition of discriminate

as in to differentiate

to understand or point out the difference in the human eye can discriminate between very slight gradations of color

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of discriminate Smith’s federal complaint included the same account and alleged that the school discriminated against her son because of his disability and race, including deploying pressure tactics to push her Black son out of the public school. — Claire Sibonney, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026 Smith's federal complaint included the same account and alleged that the school discriminated against her son because of his disability and race, including deploying pressure tactics to push her Black son out of the public school. — Claire Sibonney, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026 Pointedly, none were discovered according to an agent’s discriminating taste or molded by an editor into a font of commercial storytelling. — M. C. Mah, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026 However, some of them didn’t seem to mind when others were discriminating against students there that were either Israeli or Jewish. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for discriminate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for discriminate

Verb

By taking stem cells from a host’s own body and encouraging them to differentiate before mixing them with a commercially available, soluble matrix gel, researchers may have cracked the most critical problems in the transplant process.

— Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
As foundation models continue to improve, however, simply wrapping an interface around a large language model will become increasingly difficult to differentiate.

— Ganesh Shankar, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of differentiate

Verb

Juveniles can be distinguished by their dark facial bands and gray or tan body patterned with black or brown blotches.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026
However, recent scholarship posits that the structure was used as ordinary (rather than punitive) housing, and that the vulgar decor was in fact a distinguishing characteristic of the epoch.

— Jim Greer, SPIN, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of distinguish

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discriminable

discriminate

discriminated

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“Discriminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discriminate. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of discriminate

verb

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