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

And two, baking soda is an indiscriminate weed killer that poisons the soil. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 16 May 2025

My bigger issue is indiscriminate ICE raids and sweeps sowing fear in communities and with businesses all across the country. —/ Cbs News, CBS News, 11 May 2025

Insofar as the Trump campaign had any specific policy planks, indiscriminate tariffs were foremost among them. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 9 May 2025

The blanket celebration without context is providing fuel for indiscriminate cask investment companies to mislead whisky fans. —Mark Littler, Forbes.com, 8 May 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