discriminate

Academic Word List, sublist 6.

About 3.08 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. verb To make distinctions.

   Since he was color blind he was unable to discriminate between the blue and green bottles.

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

   Low self-esteem can affect both rich and poor people: it doesn't discriminate.

3. verb To make decisions harmful to (a person or group) based on prejudice.

   The law prohibits discriminating against people based on their skin color.

4. verb To infringe upon (a person's rights) in a prejudicial manner.
5. verb To set apart as being different; to mark as different; to separate from another by discerning differences; to distinguish.
6. adjective Having its differences marked; distinguished by certain tokens.

Similar words

single out separate nice know apart discriminative discriminatory distinguish secern distinguishing differentiate

Often followed by

between against in among the on and a by

Word family

discriminated discriminates discriminating discrimination