discriminating
Having refined taste
Discriminating describes someone with refined taste and the ability to recognize fine distinctions.
A discriminating palate detects subtle flavors.
A discriminating eye spots quality others miss.
The word is almost always complimentary, unlike the related verb discriminate, which often implies unfair treatment based on prejudice.
To be discriminating is to be selective in a way that suggests expertise or good judgment.
Having keen judgment
- astuteMentally sharp, discerning
- perceptiveQuick to understand
- shrewdPractically clever, perceptive
- insightfulHaving penetrating discernment
keen · sharp · observant · perspicacious · acute · penetrating · sagacious · judicious
Overly particular about preferences
- pickyExcessively selective or particular
- particularSpecific or fussy
- fastidiousExcessively attentive to detail
- fussyExcessively particular
exacting · demanding · finicky · meticulous · scrupulous · persnickety · selective · careful
Purified or cultured
- cultivatedImproved through nurture
- sophisticatedWorldly and cultured
- connoisseurExpert in matters of taste
- gourmetConnoisseur of fine cuisine
epicurean · tasteful · elegant · polished · aesthetic · artistic · cultured · worldly
Unfairly favoring one side
- prejudicedBiased against a group
- bigotedStubbornly intolerant of others
- intolerantRejecting differing beliefs
- unfairUnjust or partial
partial · inequitable · exclusionary · segregating · profiling · stereotyping · unjust · differential
Seeking out imperfections
- hypercriticalExcessively prone to censure
- censoriousSeverely critical in judgment
- carpingTrivial persistent criticism
- captiousGiven to petty criticism
nitpicking · overcritical · harsh · judgmental · disapproving · condemnatory · disparaging · severe
discerning
Having keen judgment
- astuteMentally sharp, discerning
- perceptiveQuick to understand
- shrewdPractically clever, perceptive
insightful · keen · sharp · observant · perspicacious · acute · penetrating · sagacious · judicious · analytical
choosy
Overly particular about preferences
- pickyExcessively selective or particular
- particularSpecific or fussy
- fastidiousExcessively attentive to detail
fussy · exacting · demanding · finicky · meticulous · scrupulous · persnickety · selective · careful · deliberate
refined
Purified or cultured
- cultivatedImproved through nurture
- sophisticatedWorldly and cultured
- connoisseurExpert in matters of taste
gourmet · epicurean · tasteful · elegant · polished · aesthetic · artistic · cultured · worldly · cosmopolitan
biased
Unfairly favoring one side
- prejudicedBiased against a group
- bigotedStubbornly intolerant of others
- intolerantRejecting differing beliefs
unfair · partial · inequitable · exclusionary · segregating · profiling · stereotyping · unjust · differential · disparate
faultfinding
Seeking out imperfections
- hypercriticalExcessively prone to censure
- censoriousSeverely critical in judgment
- carpingTrivial persistent criticism
captious · nitpicking · overcritical · harsh · judgmental · disapproving · condemnatory · disparaging · severe · unforgiving
- discriminationracism, Jim Crow laws, sexism, racial harassment, prejudice
- fussinessfussiness, pickiness, picky, nitpicky, persnickety
- thinkingthinking, reasoning, thought, ponder, contemplate
- elegantchic, stylish, refined, tasteful, elegant
- Exclusivityexclusive, elite, VIP, members-only, private
- hostile behaviorsattacking, bullying, fighting, harassing, hitting
discriminatingundiscriminating
Not making distinctions
indiscriminate · uncritical · unselective · indiscriminating · tasteless
discriminatingindiscriminate
Lacking selective judgment
random · haphazard · careless · scattershot · unsystematic
discriminatingimpartial
Showing no preference
unbiased · nondiscriminatory · fair · equitable · unprejudiced
- 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, nondiscrimination, discriminations, discriminative