English Reference
Adjective

indiscriminate

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˌɪndɪsˈkɹɪmənət/ UK /ˌɪndɪskɹˈɪmɪnət/ in·dis·crim·i·nate

adj.not careful about who or what you choose to affect. You use this when someone acts without thinking about the consequences or the specific people involved.

adj.lacking discrimination or selectivity; acting without regard for consequences or specific targets. Often used to describe actions that cause unnecessary harm to innocent people or objects.


SIMPLE

The heavy rain caused indiscriminate damage to the garden.

CONTEXTUAL

The government faced criticism for its indiscriminate use of force during the operation.

COMPLEX

The spread of the virus was largely indiscriminate, affecting both the elderly and the young with equal severity and no regard for social status.

Foreign-based NGOs, however, said Iranian officials had launched an indiscriminate crackdown that left thousands dead.

The Guardian· 23 Aug 2026

Many people have also been wounded in the streets as a result of indiscriminate attacks.

The Guardian· 26 Aug 2026

First attested in 1598; from in- + discriminate.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated