adjective
indiscriminate
ihn-dihs-KRIHM-ihn-uht
Indiscriminate (adjective) means Done without care to distinguish between different people, things, or situations; random or unselective. Example: “The bombing caused indiscriminate destruction across the neighborhood.”
adjective
1
Done without care to distinguish between different people, things, or situations; random or unselective.
"The bombing caused indiscriminate destruction across the neighborhood."
"He was indiscriminate in his praise, complimenting everyone equally."
How to use indiscriminate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot picking and choosing — treating everything or everyone the same, usually carelessly.
Common pairings
indiscriminate violence
indiscriminate use
indiscriminate killing
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more indiscriminate
- Superlative
- most indiscriminate
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The bombing caused _____ destruction across the neighborhood.
Etymology
First recorded in 1598, built from in- (\"not\") plus discriminate.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for indiscriminate
See all rhymes for indiscriminate →Frequently asked questions
What does “indiscriminate” mean?
The word “indiscriminate” means done without care to distinguish between different people, things, or situations; random or unselective. In plain terms, not picking and choosing — treating everything or everyone the same, usually carelessly.
How do you pronounce “indiscriminate”?
“Indiscriminate” is pronounced ihn-dihs-KRIHM-ihn-uht (/ɪn.dɪsˈkɹɪm.ɪn.ət/ in IPA).
How do you use “indiscriminate” in a sentence?
Here is “indiscriminate” used in a sentence: “The bombing caused indiscriminate destruction across the neighborhood.”
What is another word for “indiscriminate”?
Words with a similar meaning to “indiscriminate” include promiscuous.
What part of speech is “indiscriminate”?
“Indiscriminate” is an adjective.
Where does the word “indiscriminate” come from?
The word “indiscriminate” dates back to around 1598. First recorded in 1598, built from in- (\"not\") plus discriminate.
