Differentiate vs. Discriminate: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Differentiate means to recognize or show the difference between things, while discriminate involves making distinctions, often unfairly based on race, age, or other factors.
Key Differences
Differentiate is the act of identifying or showing differences between two or more entities, based on characteristics or qualities. Discriminate, however, often carries a negative connotation, implying unfair treatment or judgment based on characteristics like race, gender, or age.
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Differentiation is primarily a neutral or analytical process, used in various contexts like science, mathematics, and linguistics. Discrimination, in contrast, is often associated with social, legal, and ethical issues, where it refers to prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex.
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The goal of differentiating is to understand or clarify distinctions, often for purposes of classification or analysis. Discrimination, on the other hand, can lead to exclusion, inequality, and injustice, as it involves acting on prejudices or stereotypes.
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In an educational context, to differentiate can mean to tailor teaching methods to suit different learning styles. In a societal context, to discriminate means to treat an individual or group differently, and often worse, than others based on personal biases.
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Differentiation is a cognitive process that enhances understanding and knowledge. Discrimination, however, is a social behavior that often stems from and reinforces biases and stereotypes, leading to social and ethical conflicts.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Meaning
To identify or show differences
To make distinctions, often based on prejudice
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Connotation
Neutral or analytical
Often negative, associated with unfair treatment
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Differentiate and Discriminate Definitions
Differentiate
Differentiate is to make or perceive differences in characteristics.
Biologists differentiate species based on specific genetic markers.
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Discriminate
Discriminate is to make decisions based on stereotypes or biases.
Advertising that discriminates based on body type is increasingly criticized.
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Differentiate
Differentiate means to set apart by differences.
The chef could differentiate herbs by their distinct aromas.
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Discriminate
Discriminate involves making an unjust distinction in the treatment of different categories of people.
Historically, laws were used to discriminate against certain racial groups.
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Differentiate
Differentiate means to identify distinctions between things.
To differentiate between the twins, she looked for subtle differences in their hairstyles.
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Discriminate
Discriminate is to show partiality or prejudice in treatment.
Schools must not discriminate in admissions on the basis of gender.
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Differentiate
Differentiate is to recognize what makes something or someone unique.
Artists often differentiate their style through unique techniques.
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Discriminate
Discriminate means to differentiate unfairly between people or things.
He accused the club of discriminating against members of lower income groups.
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Differentiate
To constitute the distinction between
Subspecies that are differentiated by the markings on their wings.
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Discriminate
Discriminate means to treat someone differently based on prejudice.
It is illegal to discriminate against employees based on their age.
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Differentiate
To perceive or show the difference in or between; discriminate.
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Discriminate
To make a clear distinction; distinguish
Discriminate among the options available.
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Discriminate
To make distinctions on the basis of class or category without regard to individual merit, especially to show prejudice on the basis of ethnicity, gender, or a similar social factor
Was accused of discriminating against women.
Discriminated in favor of his cronies.
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Differentiate
(Mathematics) To calculate the derivative or differential of (a function).
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Discriminate
To perceive or notice the distinguishing features of; recognize as distinct
Unable to discriminate colors.
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Differentiate
To become distinct or specialized; acquire a different character.
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Discriminate
To make or constitute a distinction in or between
Methods that discriminate science from pseudoscience.
Characteristics that discriminate early stone artifacts from pieces of natural stone.
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Discriminate
(intransitive) To make distinctions.
Since he was color blind he was unable to discriminate between the blue and green bottles.
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Discriminate
To treat or affect differently, depending on differences in traits.
Low self-esteem doesn't discriminate against anyone.
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Differentiate
(transitive) To show, or be the distinction between two things.
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Discriminate
To make decisions based on prejudice.
The law prohibits discriminating against people based on their skin color.
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Differentiate
(intransitive) To perceive the difference between things; to discriminate.
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Discriminate
(transitive) To set apart as being different; to mark as different; to separate from another by discerning differences; to distinguish.
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Discriminate
Having the difference marked; distinguished by certain tokens.
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Discriminate
Having the difference marked; distinguished by certain tokens.
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Differentiate
To calculate the differential of a function of multiple variables.
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Discriminate
To set apart as being different; to mark as different; to separate from another by discerning differences; to distinguish.
To discriminate the goats from the sheep.
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Differentiate
To produce distinct organs or to achieve specific functions by a process of development called differentiation.
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Discriminate
To make a difference or distinction; to distinguish accurately; as, in judging of evidence, we should be careful to discriminate between probability and slight presumption.
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Differentiate
(geology) Something that has been differentiated or stratified.
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Differentiate
To distinguish or mark by a specific difference; to effect a difference in, as regards classification; to develop differential characteristics in; to specialize; to desynonymize.
The word then was differentiated into the two forms then and than.
Two or more of the forms assumed by the same original word become differentiated in signification.
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Differentiate
To express the specific difference of; to describe the properties of (a thing) whereby it is differenced from another of the same class; to discriminate.
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Differentiate
To obtain the differential, or differential coefficient, of; as, to differentiate an algebraic expression, or an equation.
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Discriminate
Distinguish;
I could not discriminate the different tastes in this complicated dish
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Discriminate
Marked by the ability to see or make fine distinctions;
Discriminate judgments
Discriminate people
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Discriminate
Noting distinctions with nicety;
A discriminating interior designer
A nice sense of color
A nice point in the argument
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Differentiate
Be a distinctive feature, attribute, or trait; sometimes in a very positive sense;
His modesty distinguishes him form his peers
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Differentiate
Evolve so as to lead to a new species or develop in a way most suited to the environment
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Differentiate
Differentiate involves distinguishing one thing from another.
He could differentiate the various bird calls with remarkable accuracy.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
What does discriminate mean?
To make distinctions, often unfairly based on factors like race or gender.
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Is differentiate always a neutral term?
Generally, it is used in a neutral, analytical context.
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Is discrimination always illegal?
It depends on context; in many cases, discriminatory practices are illegal.
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Where is the term discriminate often applied?
In social, legal, and ethical contexts, especially regarding prejudice.
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Can differentiate be used in a negative sense?
Rarely, it's mostly used in a neutral or positive sense for clarification.
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Can discrimination be unintentional?
Yes, it can be both intentional and unintentional.
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How is discrimination addressed legally?
Through anti-discrimination laws and policies.
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What does differentiate mean?
To identify or show differences between things.
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Can discriminate have a positive connotation?
Typically, it has a negative connotation, linked to unfair treatment.
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In what fields is differentiate commonly used?
In science, education, and analytical discussions.
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How is differentiation important in education?
It helps in tailoring teaching to suit different learning styles.
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What are the impacts of discrimination in society?
It leads to social inequality, injustice, and conflict.
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Is discrimination a social issue?
Yes, it's a significant social and ethical issue.
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Do businesses use differentiation in marketing?
Yes, to distinguish their products or services from competitors.
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Is differentiating a skill?
Yes, it's a cognitive skill in analysis and perception.
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Can discrimination be based on age?
Yes, age is a common basis for discrimination.
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What is a common goal of differentiation?
To enhance understanding and knowledge.
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What's an example of positive differentiation?
Customizing learning programs to meet individual student needs.
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How do scientists use differentiation?
In categorizing and understanding natural phenomena.
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Can discrimination be challenged?
Yes, through legal, social, and educational means.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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