indiscriminate

adjective

in·​dis·​crim·​i·​nate ˌin-di-ˈskri-mə-nət How to pronounce indiscriminate (audio)
-ˈskrim-nət
Synonyms of indiscriminatenext
1
a
: not marked by careful distinction : deficient in care and discernment
indiscriminate reading habits
indiscriminate mass destruction
is indiscriminate in his choice of friends
b
: haphazard, random
indiscriminate application of a law
especially : affecting or harming many people or things in a careless or unfair way
the indiscriminate use of pesticides
2
a
: promiscuous, unrestrained
indiscriminate sexual behavior
b
: heterogeneous, motley
an indiscriminate collection
indiscriminately adverb
indiscriminateness noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That longstanding practices can be changed on a whim to justify indiscriminate detentions. Marilyn Carlson Nelson, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2026 Latino voters have turned especially hard against the administration’s indiscriminate mass-deportation policy. Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026 If officers use crowd-control weapons, they should be deployed to minimize injury and avoid indiscriminate harm. Michele Heisler, The Conversation, 4 Feb. 2026 The aggressive and indiscriminate tactics ICE deploys directly disrupt this dynamic, instilling fear and discouraging our immigrant neighbors from leaving their homes to engage in what were once their routine activities. Aubrey Jackson Soller, Baltimore Sun, 3 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for indiscriminate

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of indiscriminate was circa 1598

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Indiscriminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indiscriminate. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

indiscriminate

adjective
in·​dis·​crim·​i·​nate ˌin-dis-ˈkrim-(ə-)nət How to pronounce indiscriminate (audio)
: showing lack of discrimination : not choosing carefully
an indiscriminate reader
indiscriminate enthusiasm
indiscriminately adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on indiscriminate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster