DISCRIMINATING

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does discriminating mean? 

• DISCRIMINATING (adjective)
  The adjective DISCRIMINATING has 2 senses:

1. showing or indicating careful judgment and discernment especially in matters of taste

2. having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions

  Familiarity information: DISCRIMINATING used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DISCRIMINATING (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Showing or indicating careful judgment and discernment especially in matters of taste

Context example:

the discriminating eye of the connoisseur

Similar:

appreciative (having or showing appreciation or a favorable critical judgment or opinion)

diacritic; diacritical (capable of distinguishing)

discerning (able to make or detect effects of great subtlety; sensitive)

discriminative; discriminatory (capable of making fine distinctions)

eclectic (selecting what seems best of various styles or ideas)

good (generally admired)

selective (tending to select; characterized by careful choice)

Also:

discerning (having or revealing keen insight and good judgment)

discriminate (marked by the ability to see or make fine distinctions)

Antonym:

undiscriminating (not discriminating)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions

Synonyms:

acute; discriminating; incisive; keen; knifelike; penetrating; penetrative; piercing; sharp

Context example:

frequent penetrative observations

Similar:

perceptive (having the ability to perceive or understand; keen in discernment)

 Context examples 

The findings show that our sense of smell is far more discriminating than previously thought.

(Humans Can Identify More Than 1 Trillion Smells, NIH, US)

Pluto has been tutoring you to be discriminating with your time so you can accomplish much, and to exercise good judgment as you continue to rise to positions of influence.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

She had never found it so difficult to listen to him, though nothing could exceed his solicitude and care, and though his subjects were principally such as were wont to be always interesting: praise, warm, just, and discriminating, of Lady Russell, and insinuations highly rational against Mrs Clay.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

The drug had no discriminating action; it was neither diabolical nor divine; it but shook the doors of the prisonhouse of my disposition; and like the captives of Philippi, that which stood within ran forth.

(The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson)