B2verbsocietylaw
US/dɪˈskrɪm.ə.neɪt/
UK/dɪˈskrɪm.ɪ.neɪt/
to treat people unfairly because of their race, sex, age or religion; also to notice differences between things
In context
It is illegal to discriminate against job applicants because of their age.
Many women feel that they are discriminated against at work.
Young babies can already discriminate between their mother's voice and other voices.
Words that go with discriminate
verb + preposition
- discriminate againstThe company was accused of discriminating against older workers.
- discriminate betweenDogs can discriminate between hundreds of different smells.
- discriminate on the basis ofEmployers must not discriminate on the basis of religion.
- discriminate on grounds ofSchools cannot discriminate on grounds of race.
- discriminate in favor ofCritics say the policy discriminates in favor of large companies.
adverb + verb
- unfairly discriminateThe law protects workers who are unfairly discriminated against.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
They discriminate me because I'm a woman.Correct: They discriminate against me because I'm a woman.