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

Meanwhile, for a war-weary and dangerously divided nation, the president and his allies in Congress want to invest at least $300 billion more in the war machine and indiscriminate mass deportations. —Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025

The indiscriminate slashing has given impotent Democrats a hammer to use against the administration. —Nolan Finley, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2025

But these are cross the board tariffs that are indiscriminate, that that are imposed one day and taken down the next. —ABC News, 9 Mar. 2025

Likewise wide-ranging, indiscriminate staff reductions even of probationary employees can seriously disrupt research. —Claudia Weicker, Hartford Courant, 21 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