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

While critics have accused the Israeli air force of indiscriminate bombing, the study finds that strikes generally targeted military objectives, though civilian casualties were inevitable. —Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2025

After the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7, 2023, widespread and indiscriminate revenge was presented as the only alternative. —Uriel Kon september 2, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2025

This includes resisting indiscriminate scraping from open sources. —Abhesh Kumar, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025

The violence was never indiscriminate, and less than 20 people are believed to have died during the uprisings. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 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