discriminate
/dɪˈskrɪm.ɪ.neɪt/(verb)
AWL Sublist 6CEFR B2IELTS Band 7.0 - 9.0
Academic Definition
To make an unjust or prejudicial distinction in the treatment of different categories of people; to recognize a distinction.
Key Academic Collocations
Click to copyWord Family & Derivatives
discriminatediscriminationdiscriminatorydiscriminating
Lexical Alternatives (Synonyms)
differentiatedistinguishdisfavorvictimizesegregate
Academic Sample Sentences in Context
"Strict statutory penalties should be imposed on corporate employers who discriminate against female candidates during recruitment."
"The table outlines reported incidences of workplace age discrimination lodged with the national ombudsman from 2012 to 2019."
"Sophisticated optical sensors can discriminate between hazardous plastic debris and organic marine flora in real time."
IELTS Examiner Scoring Strategy (Lexical Resource)
Preposition note: 'discriminate AGAINST a group' (bias) vs 'discriminate BETWEEN two items' (distinguish).