Basic Details
Word: Indiscriminate
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Done carelessly, without thinking about which people or things are chosen or affected.
Synonyms: random, careless, haphazard, unselective
Antonyms: selective, careful, discriminating
How to Spell Indiscriminate
Syllables: in - dis - crim - i - nate
Tricky part: The second part is dis, not des, and the middle is crimin with two i's. Indescriminate and indiscrimenate are the usual slips.
Watch out for: indescriminate, indiscrimenate, indiscrimminate
Memory tip: Break it into chunks you already know: in + dis + crimin + ate. The crimin part is spelt exactly as in criminal.
Usage Examples
Example 1: The indiscriminate dumping of garbage has choked the lake.
Example 2: He is an indiscriminate reader who will read anything from comics to train timetables.
Example 3: Farmers were warned against indiscriminate spraying of pesticides.
Fun Fact
Doctors warn against the indiscriminate use of antibiotics, because taking them when they are not needed helps bacteria become resistant to them.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the word opposite in meaning to indiscriminate as used in the sentence:
The indiscriminate cutting of trees on the hillside has led to landslides every monsoon.
a) random
b) careless
c) haphazard
d) selective
Show answer
d) selective. Indiscriminate cutting takes any tree at all; selective cutting picks trees with care.
Word Cookie
Insert the correct letters to form a word:
indiscr_m_n_te
a) i, i, a
b) i, e, a
c) e, i, a
d) i, a, a
Show answer
a) i, i, a. Crimin, as in criminal, has two i's; then comes ate.
Spell-o-Spell
Only one word in the list is spelt correctly. Choose the meaning of that word.
1. consientious 2. deliberite 3. desperete 4. indiscriminate
a) careful to do your work well and thoroughly
b) done carelessly, without choosing with thought
c) done on purpose
d) feeling there is little hope and ready to try anything
Show answer
b) done carelessly, without choosing with thought. Indiscriminate is spelt right; deliberate and desperate end in rate, and conscientious needs sc.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Indiscriminate shopping means ____.
a) buying things without thinking whether you need them
b) shopping only during sales
c) buying only from one shop
d) never going shopping
Show answer
a) buying things without thinking whether you need them
2. The ____ use of plastic bags harms rivers and animals.
a) selective
b) indiscriminate
c) limited
d) careful
Show answer
b) indiscriminate
