indiscretion

noun

in·​dis·​cre·​tion ˌin-di-ˈskre-shən 

1

: lack of discretion : imprudence

dietary indiscretion

2

a

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

characterized his binge drinking in college as a youthful indiscretion

b

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

resigned because of financial indiscretions

Synonyms of indiscretion

• blunder
• mistake
• error
• solecism

Examples of indiscretion in a Sentence

She committed a few minor indiscretions.

put the incident down as just a youthful indiscretion

Recent Examples on the Web

Shuler, whose play with Riverside helped him gain a scholarship to the University of New Orleans, broke down several times when describing Lorch’s use of a paddle to punish him for indiscretions ranging from not working hard in practice to struggling in a high school French class. —Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 9 Jan. 2026

Once there, however, Rhoda discovers more than Max’s indiscretions. —Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026

But Clinton’s ties to the Epstein case are a reminder of how his political promise has always been tempered by personal indiscretions. —Steven Sloan, Fortune, 21 Dec. 2025

Sharon Osbourne was both aware of and largely unbothered by the indiscretions of her late husband, Ozzy Osbourne — with one notable exception. —Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing indiscretion

• youthful indiscretion

Rhymes for indiscretion

• decompression
• dispossession
• intercession
• introgression
• nonaggression
• prepossession
• recompression
• repossession
• retrocession
• retrogression
• supersession
• accession

Kids Definition

indiscretion

noun

in·​dis·​cre·​tion ˌin-dis-ˈkresh-ən 

1

: lack of discretion : imprudence

2

: an indiscreet act or remark