discriminates
Treats groups unequally
Discriminates means to perceive or make distinctions.
A refined palate discriminates between subtle flavors; a trained eye discriminates authentic paintings from forgeries.
The neutral sense—distinguishing one thing from another—remains common in technical contexts: The test discriminates between viral and bacterial infections.
More often now, discriminates implies unfair treatment based on group membership: The company discriminates against older workers.
Someone who discriminates in hiring or housing treats people differently based on race, gender, age, or other protected characteristics rather than individual merit.
Preformed unfavorable opinion
- stereotypeFixed oversimplified notion
- racismPrejudice based on ethnicity
- sexismGender-based prejudice
- ageismPrejudice targeting older people
homophobia · xenophobia · bigotry · intolerance · misogyny · ableism · classism · transphobia
Preferring kin in hiring
- cronyismFavoring friends in appointments
- partialityUnfair favor toward some
- preferentialGiven special advantage
- patronageSupporter's financial backing
privilege · insider · in-group · cliquishness · partisanship · bias · unfairness · golden boy
prejudice
Preformed unfavorable opinion
- stereotypeFixed oversimplified notion
- racismPrejudice based on ethnicity
- sexismGender-based prejudice
ageism · homophobia · xenophobia · bigotry · intolerance · misogyny · ableism · classism · transphobia · antisemitism
nepotism
Preferring kin in hiring
- cronyismFavoring friends in appointments
- partialityUnfair favor toward some
- preferentialGiven special advantage
patronage · privilege · insider · in-group · cliquishness · partisanship · bias · unfairness · golden boy · teacher's pet
distinguish
Recognize as distinct
- differentiateIdentify differences between things
- discernPerceive with careful attention
- perceiveBecome conscious of
recognize · identify · detect · separate · assess · evaluate · judge · appraise · analyze · determine
filter
Porous separation device
winnow · sort · categorize · classify · select · curate · refine · choosy · picky · fastidious
discriminatesincludes
Contains as component
unites · integrates · embraces · accepts · welcomes
discriminatesconfuses
Causes mental disarray
conflates · muddles · blurs · misidentifies · generalizes
- discrimination lawsLegal protections against prejudice
- age discriminationPrejudice based on years lived
- racial discriminationPrejudice based on ethnicity
- gender discriminationPrejudice based on sex
- job discriminationPrejudice in hiring or promotion
- housing discriminationUnequal treatment in property access
discrimination, discriminating, discriminate, indiscriminate, discriminatory, indiscriminately, discriminated, nondiscriminatory, discriminations