indiscretion

noun in·dis·cre·tion \ ˌin-di-ˈskre-shən \

Updated on: 15 Apr 2018

Definition of indiscretion

1 : lack of discretion : imprudence

dietary indiscretion

2 a : something (such as an act or remark) marked by lack of discretion

b : an act at variance with the accepted morality of a society

resigned because of financial indiscretions

See indiscretion defined for English-language learners

See indiscretion defined for kids

Examples of indiscretion in a Sentence

She committed a few minor indiscretions.
a single indiscretion can get someone kicked out of that exclusive club

Recent Examples of indiscretion from the Web

Qantas, NRMA Insurance, Magellan step in after controversies Sponsor intrusion shows social media’s ability to sully brand Australians are used to indiscretions by their sporting heroes.

— Bloomberg.com, "Sponsors Are Sick of Australian Sports Stars Behaving Badly," 12 Apr. 2018
An anonymous complaint filed with the E.P.A.’s inspector general alleged that Mr. Chmielewski could not get the appropriate level of security clearance for his duties because of various indiscretions.

— eric lipton, kenneth p. vogel and lisa friedman, New York Times, "E.P.A. Officials Sidelined After Questioning Scott Pruitt," 5 Apr. 2018
But the comment is an awkward analogy, given Trump's long and well-publicized history of marital indiscretions.

— eric bradner, CNN, "Republican Senate candidate compares voting against Trump's agenda to cheating on wife," 4 Apr. 2018
Trump may have to choose between a fusillade of damaging headlines about Pruitt’s indiscretions or the scary possibility that Pruitt’s replacement won’t be quite so aggressive in making America’s air less breathable.

— benjamin hart, Daily Intelligencer, "Pruitt Tries to Ruin the Planet Before Getting Fired," 3 Apr. 2018
In time, her reputation became scarred by accusations of extreme brutality toward suspected turncoats, misbehavior and indiscretion in her private life, and a radicalism that seemed at odds with Mandela's quest for racial inclusiveness.

— author: alan cowell, Anchorage Daily News, "Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, who fought apartheid with her husband, has died at 81," 2 Apr. 2018
In 2011, Rose’s previous troubles could have been attributed to youthful indiscretion.

— michael mccann, SI.com, "Derrick Rose's Adidas Contract: Breaking Down the Strange Terms," 6 Feb. 2018
Let’s say an NBA player gets a $25,000 fine for blasting off on the officials and wants something positive to come from his indiscretion.

— ben golliver, SI.com, "NBA Players Are Fined Millions of Dollars Every Year. Where Does the Money Go?," 27 Mar. 2018
In a time where the public has a more complicated relationship with celebrity than ever, and more male stars are outed for their indiscretions, what does the future hold for a brand so dependent on famous people as Madame Tussauds?

— New York Times, "The Politics of Waxing," 26 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'indiscretion.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of indiscretion

14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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indiscretion Synonyms

INDISCRETION Defined for English Language Learners

indiscretion

noun

Definition of indiscretion for English Language Learners

: lack of good judgment or care in behavior and especially in speech : lack of discretion
: an act or remark that shows a lack of good judgment : an indiscreet act or remark