Word
indiscriminately
Phoneticsin·dis·crim·i·nate·ly, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌɪndɪsˈkɹɪmənətˌɫi/
UK/ˌɪndɪskɹˈɪmɪnətli/
Definition
adv. without thinking about who or what you are affecting. You use this when someone acts in a way that is unfair or dangerous to everyone.
adv. without regard to differences or distinctions; in a way that is not selective or fair.
Examples
“The fire spread indiscriminately through the dry forest.”
“The company was criticized for indiscriminately firing employees without providing any reason for the layoffs.”
“The policy was condemned for its indiscriminate application, as it punished small businesses alongside large corporations that had actually followed the regulations.”
Examples
simple
“The fire spread indiscriminately through the dry forest.”
contextual
“The company was criticized for indiscriminately firing employees without providing any reason for the layoffs.”
complex
“The policy was condemned for its indiscriminate application, as it punished small businesses alongside large corporations that had actually followed the regulations.”
Real-World Examples
“In those animals, the clustered engram synapses were destroyed indiscriminately—just like every other synapse.” “They were inefficient, generated excessive heat, and scattered light somewhat indiscriminately.” Etymology
From indiscriminate + -ly.
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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/indiscriminately