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

While shootings involving indiscriminate killings are not common, the country has seen an uptick in high-profile shooting deaths in recent years. — ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026

This does not appear to be merely the result of an indiscriminate luxury-market boom where a rising tide lifts all ships. — John Walkup, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Theirs was a working-class community, nestled just a few blocks west of the presidential palace, that in recent years has been overrun by gangs and subjected to extreme and indiscriminate violence. — Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026

The prior month a federal court judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking agents from using racial profiling to carry out indiscriminate arrests in Southern California. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 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