indiscriminate

adjective

in·​dis·​crim·​i·​nate ˌin-di-ˈskri-mə-nət 

-ˈskrim-nət

1

a

: not marked by careful distinction : deficient in care and discernment

indiscriminate reading habits

indiscriminate mass destruction

is indiscriminate in his choice of friends

b

: haphazard, random

indiscriminate application of a law

especially : affecting or harming many people or things in a careless or unfair way

the indiscriminate use of pesticides

2

a

: promiscuous, unrestrained

indiscriminate sexual behavior

b

: heterogeneous, motley

an indiscriminate collection

indiscriminately adverb

indiscriminateness noun

Synonyms of indiscriminate

• eclectic
• varied
• mixed
• assorted
• promiscuous

Examples of indiscriminate in a Sentence

They participated in the indiscriminate slaughter of countless innocent victims.

He objects to the indiscriminate use of pesticides.

She has been indiscriminate in choosing her friends.

Recent Examples on the Web

Privacy advocates say the cameras’ indiscriminate collection of every driver’s vehicle information basically creates a nationwide surveillance network that invites misuse by law enforcement. — Victoria Hoffmann, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Sep. 2026

Half these people only had careers because the influx of stock market coupons was so indiscriminate that studios hired anyone with an Instagram or a laptop. — Joseph Kahn, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026

As the army chief, Mladić was the main architect of a brutal campaign of ethnic cleansing, directly overseeing widespread and indiscriminate killing, deportations and forcible transfers of civilians. — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026

In the Artibonite, gangs continued their territorial expansion through indiscriminate attacks on localities, targeting members of self-defense groups and residents inside their homes or in the streets, as well as farmers working in their fields. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for indiscriminate

• criminate

Kids Definition

indiscriminate

adjective

in·​dis·​crim·​i·​nate ˌin-dis-ˈkrim-(ə-)nət 

: showing lack of discrimination : not choosing carefully

an indiscriminate reader

indiscriminate enthusiasm

indiscriminately adverb