Definition

1. Adverb:
   • In an indiscriminate manner; without careful judgment or distinction: Acting or done without considering differences or making selections.
   • In a random, haphazard, or unsystematic way: Occurring without a clear pattern, order, or purpose.

Usage and Examples

• Basic Usage: The adverb describes how an action is performed—without making distinctions or in a random fashion.

  • The herbicide was sprayed indiscriminately, killing both weeds and flowers.
  • During the riot, shops were looted indiscriminately.

• With Verbs of Action: Commonly modifies verbs like fire, kill, use, apply, distribute, bomb.

  • The general was accused of ordering his troops to fire indiscriminately on the village.
  • He accuses the media of reporting news indiscriminately, without verifying facts.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• Implied Criticism: Often carries a negative connotation, suggesting a lack of care, responsibility, or ethics.
  • Critics argue that collecting personal data indiscriminately is a violation of privacy.
• Emphasis on Lack of Selection: Highlights the absence of a specific target or criteria.
  • A true connoisseur does not collect art indiscriminately but with a focused vision.

Variants and Related Words

• Indiscriminate (Adjective): Not showing careful thought or planning; not selective.
  • The indiscriminate use of antibiotics leads to drug resistance.
• Indiscrimination (Noun, less common): The quality or state of being indiscriminate.

Synonyms

• Randomly: In a way that lacks a definite plan, pattern, or purpose.
• Haphazardly: In a manner lacking any obvious principle of organization.
• Promiscuously: In a way that demonstrates a lack of discrimination, especially in sexual relationships (can be used more broadly for a lack of selectivity).
• Unselectively: Without making a choice based on quality or suitability.

Antonyms

• Selectively: In a way that involves careful choice.
• Discriminately: With good judgment or careful distinction.
• Methodically: In a systematic and orderly way.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• At random: Without method or conscious choice. (Often used interchangeably in context.)
  • Names were chosen at random from a list. (Compare: Names were chosen indiscriminately...)
• Without rhyme or reason: Having no sensible logic or purpose.
  • The old rules seemed to have been applied indiscriminately, without rhyme or reason.

Adverb

1. in an indiscriminate manner
   • she reads promiscuously
2. in a random manner
   • the houses were randomly scattered
   • bullets were fired into the crowd at random