What is discriminatory? Pronunciation and usage in English

discriminatory means . Learn how to pronounce and use discriminatory through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of discriminatory

discriminatoryadjective

/dɪˈskrɪmɪnətəri//dɪˈskrɪmɪnətɔːri/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "discriminatory." It can be tricky! Here’s a breakdown with phonetic approximations and tips:

Phonetic Transcription (IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet):

/ˌdɪs.kri.mɪˈneɪ.tɔːri/

Breakdown and How to Say It:

  1. dis-: Pronounced like "dis" as in "disappointment." (short ‘i’ sound)

  2. cri-: Pronounced like “crree” – a short ‘i’ sound followed by a quick "r" sound. It’s not a rolled “r,” more like a tap of the tongue against the roof of your mouth.

  3. min-: Pronounced like "min" as in "minimum." (short ‘i’ sound)

  4. -e-: A very short, unstressed "e" sound, almost silent. It’s just a brief pause.

  5. -nay-: Pronounced like "nay" as in “no way.” (long ‘a’ sound)

  6. -tor-: Pronounced like “tor” as in “Toronto.” (short ‘o’ sound)

  7. -ry: Pronounced like “ree” as in “tree.” (long ‘e’ sound)

Putting it all together, it’s roughly:

Dis-kree-min-AY-tor-ree

Tips for Accurate Pronunciation:

  • Stress: The primary stress is on the third syllable: “min-”. You want the “min” syllable to be emphasized.
  • The ‘r’ sound: The “cri” sound is the most challenging. Don’t roll your ‘r’s! Think of it as a quick tap, not a full roll.
  • The short ‘i’ sounds: Pay attention to the short “i” sounds in “dis” and “cri.” They're not long, drawn-out ‘i’s (as in "ice").
  • Listen to Examples: The BEST way to learn is to hear it spoken correctly. Here are some resources:

Do you want me to:

  • Break down any part of the pronunciation further?
  • Give you some example sentences to practice with?

Usage and examples with the word discriminatory in English

Let's break down how to use the word "discriminatory" effectively in English. It's a powerful word with a specific meaning, so understanding its nuances is important.

1. Core Meaning:

  • Definition: "Discriminatory" describes something that treats people unfairly or unequally based on certain characteristics. These characteristics are often related to:

    • Race: Treating someone differently because of their skin color or ethnic background.
    • Gender: Treating someone differently because of their sex or gender identity.
    • Religion: Treating someone differently because of their religious beliefs.
    • Sexual orientation: Treating someone differently because of who they are attracted to.
    • Age: Treating someone differently because of their age.
    • Disability: Treating someone differently because of a physical or mental impairment.
    • Nationality/Origin: Treating someone differently because of where they were born or where their parents were born.

  • Key Idea: It's not just different treatment; it's treatment that is unfair and based on prejudice.

2. How to Use it in Sentences:

Here are examples, broken down by how you can use the word:

  • Describing Actions:

    • "The hiring manager’s decision to only interview male candidates was discriminatory." (Focuses on the action)
    • “The landlord’s refusal to rent to a family with young children was considered discriminatory based on age.”
    • "The policy is discriminatory because it disproportionately affects people with disabilities." (Focuses on the policy itself)

  • Describing Policies/Practices:

    • "The company’s equal opportunity policy proved to be largely discriminatory in practice." (Highlights a contradiction between the stated policy and reality)
    • "Many argue that the current immigration laws are inherently discriminatory."

  • Describing Attitudes/Beliefs:

    • "His comments about immigrants were discriminatory and offensive.” (Focuses on the person’s attitude)
    • “She expressed a discriminatory attitude towards people with different political views.”

  • Using "discriminatory practices" as a noun phrase:

    • "The lawsuit accused the bank of engaging in discriminatory practices in its loan approvals."

3. Important Nuances & Related Words:

  • Bias vs. Discrimination: Bias is a prejudice or inclination, while discrimination is the action taken because of that bias. You can be biased without being discriminatory (though bias can lead to discrimination).

  • Systemic Discrimination: This refers to discrimination embedded in institutions, laws, and social practices – it's not just individual acts of prejudice. (e.g., discriminatory housing practices, unequal school funding)

  • Reverse Discrimination: This is a controversial term. It refers to situations where policies or practices designed to benefit historically disadvantaged groups unintentionally disadvantage members of the majority group. It's often debated whether it truly constitutes discrimination.

  • Words to use instead (depending on context):

    • Prejudicial: Similar to discriminatory, emphasizing the negative attitude.
    • Unequal: Simply states a lack of parity.
    • Unfair: Highlights the lack of justice.
    • Segregationist: Specifically refers to policies that separate groups.
    • Exclusionary: Focuses on the act of excluding people.

4. Cautions:

  • Be Specific: Don’t just say something is "discriminatory." Explain why it's discriminatory. Provide details about the characteristics being used to make the distinction and how the treatment is unfair.

  • Context is Key: The meaning and impact of “discriminatory” depend heavily on the situation.

  • Don’t Overuse: The word is strong. Use it only when it genuinely applies.

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • Are you trying to use this word in a specific context (e.g., a letter, an essay, a conversation)?
  • What are you trying to describe as discriminatory?

Synonyms for the word discriminatory

Practice with vocabulary discriminatory

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The company faced legal action for its _____________________ hiring practices, which consistently favored one demographic over others.
  2. While the report aimed to be objective, its conclusions appeared heavily _____________________ towards the funding organization's agenda.
  3. Analysis of the data revealed _____________________ outcomes for different student groups, even when controlling for socioeconomic factors.
  4. Critics argued that the new visa regulations were _____________________ because they imposed stricter requirements on applicants from certain countries.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (select all that apply)

  1. Which of the following describe actions or policies that treat people unfairly based on group membership? a) Equitable treatment b) Discriminatory practices c) Impartial regulations d) Prejudicial hiring e) Unjustifiable favoritism

  2. A company policy that denies promotion opportunities solely because of an employee's age is considered: a) Inequitable b) Discriminatory c) Objective d) Discerning e) Transparent

  3. Which words best describe the ability to perceive subtle differences or make fine distinctions? a) Discerning b) Insightful c) Distinctive d) Astute e) Partisan

  4. Which terms describe language or attitudes that show prejudice against a particular group? a) Inclusive b) Biased c) Objective d) Discriminatory e) Offensive

  5. To ensure a fair assessment, it's crucial to evaluate each candidate's qualifications in a manner that is: a) Transparent b) Objective c) Prejudiced d) Subjective e) Impartial

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The company was accused of treating women unfairly in terms of pay and promotions compared to their male colleagues.
    • Rewrite using "discriminatory":
  2. Many civil rights groups argue that the new voting law unfairly targets minority communities.
    • Rewrite using a related form of "discriminatory":
  3. A good wine connoisseur can easily tell the difference between a high-quality vintage and an average one.
    • Rewrite using a suitable replacement word (do not use "discriminatory"):

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. discriminatory
  2. biased
  3. disparate
  4. discriminatory

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) Discriminatory practices, d) Prejudicial hiring, e) Unjustifiable favoritism
  2. a) Inequitable, b) Discriminatory
  3. a) Discerning, b) Insightful, d) Astute
  4. b) Biased, d) Discriminatory, e) Offensive
  5. a) Transparent, b) Objective, e) Impartial

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The company was accused of having discriminatory pay and promotion practices towards women compared to their male colleagues.
  2. Many civil rights groups argue that the new voting law discriminates against minority communities.
  3. A good wine connoisseur is discerning enough to easily tell the difference between a high-quality vintage and an average one.

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