What does "discrimination" mean?
Discernment, the act of discriminating, discerning, distinguishing, noting or perceiving differences between things, with the intent to understand rightly and make correct decisions.
Discrimination
/dɪskɹɪmɪˈneɪʃən/ noun
noun ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Discernment, the act of discriminating, discerning, distinguishing, noting or perceiving differences between things, with the intent to understand rightly and make correct decisions.
- Grammar: discrimination is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: acquired taste, acumen, adjudgment, adjudication.
- Useful contrasts: cultural acceptance, educational principle, social progress.
- Usage evidence: We shall continue our efforts to eradicate racial discrimination.
How to use "discrimination"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "discrimination" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
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- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
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- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "discrimination" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "discrimination" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
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3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Discernment, the act of discriminating, discerning, distinguishing, noting or perceiving differences between things, with the intent to understand rightly and make correct decisions. countable, uncountable
"Have you felt the weight of the considerations which have been presented, in order to show the importance of discrimination on the subject of revealed truth?"
- 2 unfair treatment of a person or group on the basis of prejudice wordnet
- 3 Differential treatment of an individual or group to their disadvantage; treatment or consideration based on class or category rather than individual merit; partiality; prejudice; bigotry. countable, sometimes, uncountable
"sexual or racial discrimination"
- 4 the cognitive process whereby two or more stimuli are distinguished wordnet
- 5 The quality of being discriminating; acute discernment, especially in matters of good taste. uncountable
"Near-synonym: tastefulness"
Show 1 more definition
- 6 That which discriminates; a distinguishing mark, a characteristic. countable, obsolete
"He who has not made the experiment, or who is not accustomed to require rigorous accuracy from himself, will scarcely believe how much a few hours take from certainty of knowledge, and distinctness of imagery; how the succession of objects will be broken, how separate parts will be confused, and how many particular features and discriminations will be compressed and conglobated into one gross and general idea."
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
cultural acceptanceeducational principlesocial progressuniversal humanity
Example
"We shall continue our efforts to eradicate racial discrimination."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "discrimination"?
Common synonyms include: acquired taste, acumen, adjudgment, adjudication, aestheticism, alteration.
How do you use "discrimination" in a sentence?
We shall continue our efforts to eradicate racial discrimination.
How do you pronounce "discrimination"?
Pronounced /dɪskɹɪmɪˈneɪʃən/.
Etymology
Learned borrowing from Latin discrīminātiō, discrīminātiōnem, the action noun to discrīminō, discrīmināre (“distinguish”). Equivalent to discriminate + -ion. In English use from the 17th century.