Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Done or acting without careful judgment or selection; random, haphazard: Describes actions, choices, or mixtures that are made without careful thought or any system for distinguishing between different elements.
   • Not making or based on careful distinctions; lacking in discrimination: Describes a failure to recognize or acknowledge differences between people or things, often implying a lack of fairness or care.

Usage and Examples

• Adjective:
  • The indiscriminate bombing of the city caused widespread civilian casualties. (This describes military action that does not carefully select targets, affecting everything and everyone.)
  • She has an indiscriminate taste in music and listens to everything from classical to heavy metal. (This describes a lack of selective preference or judgment in personal taste.)
  • Indiscriminate use of antibiotics can lead to drug-resistant bacteria. (This describes the action of using something without proper selection or limitation.)

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "Indiscriminate" vs. "Random": While both can imply a lack of pattern, "indiscriminate" often carries a stronger negative connotation of carelessness or a harmful lack of selection, especially in serious contexts like violence or resource use. "Random" is more neutral.
• Used to criticize actions: The word is frequently used to criticize actions that are seen as reckless, unfair, or overly broad because they do not consider important differences.
  • The new policy's indiscriminate application punished both the guilty and the innocent.

Variants and Related Words

• Indiscriminately (adverb): In an indiscriminate manner.
  • The herbicide was applied indiscriminately, killing both weeds and flowers.
• Indiscrimination (noun): The quality or state of being indiscriminate. (Note: This is a less common noun form; "lack of discrimination" is often used instead.)

Synonyms

• Haphazard: Lacking any obvious principle of organization; random.
• Random: Made, done, or happening without method or conscious decision.
• Undiscriminating: Not showing good judgment or the ability to distinguish; uncritical.
• Wholesale: Done on a large scale; extensive and indiscriminate. (e.g., ).

Antonyms

• Selective: Characterized by careful choice; discriminating.
• Discriminating: Showing good judgment or taste; able to perceive fine distinctions.
• Judicious: Having, showing, or done with good judgment or sense.

Related Phrases and Collocations

• Indiscriminate violence/killing: Violence that does not distinguish between combatants and non-combatants or specific targets.
• Indiscriminate use: Using something without restraint or proper selection.
• Indiscriminate mixture: A jumbled combination where elements are not sorted or chosen with care.

Adjective

1. not marked by fine distinctions
   • indiscriminate reading habits
   • an indiscriminate mixture of colors and styles
2. failing to make or recognize distinctions