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discriminate

1 synonyms and 1 antonyms for discriminate, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Verb — To treat a person or group unfairly because of a characteristic such as race, age, or gender.

Antonyms

How to use discriminate

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

discriminate against discriminate on the basis of

The unfair-treatment sense is by far the most common in everyday modern use.

Etymology

From Latin discriminare, "to divide, distinguish," from discrimen, "a dividing line" — from discernere, "to separate, discern."

Full origin of discriminate →

Frequently asked questions

What does “discriminate” mean?

The word “discriminate” means to treat a person or group unfairly because of a characteristic such as race, age, or gender. In plain terms, to treat people unfairly based on a trait, or (in a more neutral, older sense) to tell things apart.

How do you pronounce “discriminate”?

“Discriminate” is pronounced dih-SKRIHM-ih-nayt (/dɪˈskɹɪm.əˌneɪt/ in IPA).

How do you use “discriminate” in a sentence?

Here is “discriminate” used in a sentence: “It is illegal to discriminate against employees on the basis of age.”

What is another word for “discriminate”?

Words with a similar meaning to “discriminate” include differentiate.

What is the opposite of “discriminate”?

The opposite of “discriminate” — its antonyms — is favor.

What part of speech is “discriminate”?

“Discriminate” is a verb.

Where does the word “discriminate” come from?

The word “discriminate” comes from Latin. From Latin discriminare, "to divide, distinguish," from discrimen, "a dividing line" — from discernere, "to separate, discern.".

Is “discriminate” a common word?

“Discriminate” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

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Synonyms and antonyms from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA.