indiscriminate

adjective

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

-ˈskrim-nət

1

a

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

indiscriminate reading habits

indiscriminate mass destruction

b

: haphazard, random

indiscriminate application of a law

2

a

: promiscuous, unrestrained

indiscriminate sexual behavior

b

: heterogeneous, motley

an indiscriminate collection

indiscriminately adverb

indiscriminateness noun

Synonyms

• 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

The report’s authors heavily cite the United Nations’ reporting on the government’s failure to protect Haitians from armed gangs, and indiscriminate violence from security forces. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2025

This is in line with the rest of the Shahed campaign as an indiscriminate, attritional war. —David Hambling, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025

But despite a federal appeals court recently upholding a federal judge’s order that blocked the Trump administration from continuing the indiscriminate immigration arrests in the city, U.S. Border Patrol agents have still been proceeding with raids. —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 8 Aug. 2025

Advocates warn that the expansion will lead to indiscriminate arrests and prolonged detentions, especially as oversight mechanisms within the Department of Homeland Security have been scaled back. —Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025

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