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

• assorted
• eclectic
• heterogeneous
• kitchen-sink
• magpie
• miscellaneous
• mixed
• motley
• patchwork
• piebald
• promiscuous
• raggle-taggle
• ragtag
• varied

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

Congressional Republicans have raised no objections to the massive, indiscriminate firings of employees in many government offices and federal organizations initiated by Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. —Mordechai Gordon, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2025

The indiscriminate firing of probationary employees in the Forest Service and other federal agencies, in my opinion, violates the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978. —Letters To The Editor, Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2025

Jon Stewart was left bleeding after slicing his hand open on-air Monday while delivering an impassioned monologue on the federal corporate subsidies that appear to be untouched amid the Trump administration’s indiscriminate cuts to civil service agencies. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2025

While the attention of the moment seems to be on the seemingly indiscriminate slashing of the government workforce and departments, there are more things at play. —Megan Poinski, Forbes, 25 Feb. 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