All words

discrimination

Meaning

The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things, especially on the grounds of race, age, sex, or disability.

Examples by difficulty

Basic: Simple, everyday vocabulary — the easiest to read.

She applied for the job countless times, but was always rejected. Her boss said her age was a "concern," even though she had more experience than anyone. This unfair and prejudiced treatment, denying her a chance because of who she was, showed clear discrimination.

The older gardener sighed, watching the new hires get all the best tools. It felt like discrimination; they were given the sharpest shears and the deepest watering cans, while he, with his years of experience, was stuck with dull blades and a leaky hose.

The old woman, her hands gnarled from years of sorting rare seeds, was denied a loan for her specialized farm. The bank manager mumbled about risks, but she saw the look in his eyes. It was the same as when they told her she was too old to manage anything important, a clear discrimination against her age, even though her knowledge was unmatched.

Old Mr. Fitzwilliam insisted no one over 60 should drive. He thought young people were too reckless. This unfair treatment of folks based on age, that's discrimination. He'd say, "My tea is hotter than your ambition!" before chuckling to himself.

Barnaby the badger was furious. He’d baked the world’s most perfect jam tart, but the squirrel council refused him entry to the nut festival. They claimed his paws were “too fuzzy for pastry handling,” a clear example of unfair treatment based on his furriness.

Normal: Standard, everyday language.

She watched, heartbroken, as her friend, who used a wheelchair, was denied entry to the cafe because of their disability. This unjust treatment, this discrimination, felt like a heavy weight in the air, a clear example of prejudice against someone simply because they were different.

The old woman, a seasoned mycologist, was repeatedly passed over for funding. Her research on rare bioluminescent fungi was brilliant, but committees always favored younger, male applicants, revealing a clear discrimination that stifled her groundbreaking work.

The town council refused the community garden permit, citing vague concerns about noise and loitering. Everyone knew it was just an excuse; they’d approved similar applications from the established neighborhoods without hesitation. This blatant discrimination against the newcomers, who primarily represented marginalized families, felt like a punch to the gut.

My cat, Bartholomew, insists on receiving only the finest tuna, ignoring the perfectly good kibble. This blatant discrimination against my budget is outrageous. He believes his fluffy tail grants him special privileges, a truly unfair categorization of our household hierarchy based on fur length.

Barnaby the badger, a connoisseur of artisanal cheese, faced significant discrimination from the Squirrel Syndicate. They wouldn't let him into their nut-hoarding meetings, citing his "unacceptable fur-to-fluff ratio" as grounds for exclusion. It was blatant, prejudiced treatment based purely on species-specific aesthetics.

Advanced: Richer vocabulary that stretches an upper-level reader.

The hiring manager dismissed her application without an interview, citing her age. It was blatant discrimination, a prejudiced rejection based solely on the number of years she'd lived, not her qualifications. She felt a familiar sting of injustice.

The elderly shopkeeper sadly watched as younger customers bypassed his stall, their eyes glazing over when they noticed his tremor. He knew this was discrimination, this quick dismissal because his hands weren't steady. It wasn't about the quality of his handcrafted astronomical charts; it was about how he appeared.

The town council argued fiercely, but the proposal to deny advanced hydroponic training to recent immigrants, citing their "unfamiliarity with crop rotation," was blatant discrimination. Their livelihoods, reliant on these skills, were jeopardized by prejudice, not genuine concern for agricultural success.

Bartholomew's pet iguana, Reginald, faced outright discrimination at the annual Pet Parade. Judges, citing his "lack of fluff" and "excessive basking," refused to acknowledge his undeniable charisma. Clearly, such prejudicial treatment based on reptilian status was an egregious oversight, ignoring Reginald's sheer magnificence.

The esteemed pigeon judges, notoriously swayed by the sheen of a perfectly preened feather, often displayed blatant discrimination against squabs with less ostentatious plumage. This prejudicial treatment, particularly toward those with ruffled neck-feathers, resulted in many deserving birds being overlooked for the coveted "Best Coo" award.

Challenging: Rare, high-register vocabulary for serious word lovers.

The hiring manager's callous dismissal, citing only her age, felt like blatant discrimination. She had the requisite qualifications, yet her experience was weaponized against her because of a prejudiced notion. It was a galling reminder that opportunity wasn't equitable for all.

The astrophysicist, renowned for her groundbreaking work on dark matter, faced persistent discrimination. Despite her demonstrable acumen, hiring committees often overlooked her contributions, favoring less qualified male colleagues. This prejudice, a clear pattern of unjust treatment based on her sex, stifled her career's trajectory.

The zoning board’s unanimous denial of the artisan cooperative’s permit, citing nonexistent “community aesthetic disruptions,” felt like palpable discrimination. They knew the real reason was the founders’ unique heritage, a blatant disregard for their innovative spirit and the palpable prejudice felt by the community leaders.

Barnaby, a pug with an insatiable appetite and dubious canine lineage, found himself the victim of egregious discrimination at the annual pedigree dog show. His inability to produce a proper Westminster pedigree meant judges, blinded by haughty prejudice, perpetually dismissed his eloquent barks of self-advertisement.

Bartholomew, a connoisseur of rare cheeses, found himself subjected to utter discrimination when the esteemed Gouda Guild refused him entry. Apparently, his fervent, unsolicited pronouncements on Stilton's "inherent superiority" were deemed prejudicial, a blatant injustice on the grounds of his discerning palate.

Difficulty

Normal — Everyday words worth reinforcing.

Appears in

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