1. showing unfair treatment of a person or group based on prejudice; treating some people worse than others because of their race, gender, age, religion, or other characteristic
Usage: commonly used in legal and social contexts
2. able to recognize or distinguish differences between things; showing careful judgment or discernment
Usage: formal or technical usage; less common in everyday speech

Examples

• The company was sued for discriminatory hiring practices that favored men over women.
• Discriminatory laws prevented certain groups from voting in the past.
• The policy was found to be discriminatory against people with disabilities.
• She has a discriminatory palate and can taste subtle differences in wine.
• The judge made a discriminatory decision based on careful analysis of the evidence.
• Discriminatory treatment in housing is illegal in most countries.