Word
indiscriminate
Phoneticsin·dis·crim·i·nate, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌɪndɪsˈkɹɪmənət/
UK/ˌɪndɪskɹˈɪmɪnət/
Definition
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.
Examples
“The heavy rain caused indiscriminate damage to the garden.”
“The government faced criticism for its indiscriminate use of force during the operation.”
“The spread of the virus was largely indiscriminate, affecting both the elderly and the young with equal severity and no regard for social status.”
Examples
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.”
Real-World Examples
“Foreign-based NGOs, however, said Iranian officials had launched an indiscriminate crackdown that left thousands dead.” “Many people have also been wounded in the streets as a result of indiscriminate attacks.” Etymology
First attested in 1598; from in- + discriminate.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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