What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Identify vs Discriminate - What's the difference?

identify | discriminate |

In transitive terms the difference between identify and discriminate

is that identify is to equate or make the same; to unite or combine into one while discriminate is to set apart as being different; to mark as different; to separate from another by discerning differences; to distinguish.

In intransitive terms the difference between identify and discriminate

is that identify is to claim an identity; to describe oneself as a member of a group; to assert the use of a particular term to describe oneself while discriminate is to make distinctions.

As an adjective discriminate is

having the difference marked; distinguished by certain tokens.

identify

English

Verb

  • To establish the identity of someone or something.
  • *
  • (biology) To establish the taxonomic classification of an organism.
  • *
  • To equate or make the same; to unite or combine into one.
  • * D. Ramsay
    • Every precaution is taken to identify the interests of the people and of the rulers.
  • * Burke
    • Let us identify , let us incorporate ourselves with the people.
  • (reflexive) To have a strong affinity (with); to feel oneself to be modelled on or connected to.
  • * 1999 , Joyce Crick, translating Sigmund Freud, The Interpretation of Dreams , Oxford 2008, p. 117:
    • The dream is given a new interpretation if in her dream she means not herself but her friend, if she has put herself in the place of her friend, or, as we may say, she has identified herself with her.
  • To associate oneself with some group.
  • *
  • To claim an identity; to describe oneself as a member of a group; to assert the use of a particular term to describe oneself.
  • * {{quote-magazine
    • , year=2010 , author= , title=Youth Who Self-Identify as Gay, Lesbian or Bisexual at Higher Suicide Risk, Say Researchers , date=Feb. 6, 2010 , magazine=Science Daily citation , passage="The main message is that it's the interface between individuals and society that causes students who identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual the most distress," said study first author Yue Zhao. }}

    Synonyms

    * to ID

    Related terms

    * identic * identical * identification * identifier * identity * identify with

    External links

    * * *

    discriminate

    English

    Verb

    (en-verb)
  • To make distinctions.
    • Since he was colorblind he was unable to discriminate between the blue and green bottles.
  • To make decisions based on prejudice.
    • The law prohibits discriminating against people based on their skin color.
  • To set apart as being different; to mark as different; to separate from another by discerning differences; to distinguish.
    • (Cowper)
  • * Barrow
    • To discriminate the goats from the sheep.

    Usage notes

    Due to the strong pejorative connotations of sense of “decide based on prejudice”, care should be taken in using the term in the sense “distinguish, make distinctions”, and this sense is primarily used in formal discourse; synonyms are generally used instead.

    Synonyms

    (make distinctions) * distinguish * differentiate

    Derived terms

    * discriminative * discriminatory

    Related terms

    * discriminant * discrimination * indiscriminate

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Having the difference marked; distinguished by certain tokens.
    • (Francis Bacon)

    External links

    * * ----