Definition
Indiscreet means showing a lack of good judgment, especially by speaking or acting carelessly and revealing confidential information.
Pronunciation
US English
UK English
Part of Speech
Adjective
Synonyms
imprudent, unwise, thoughtless, injudicious, reckless, careless, heedless, incautious, rash, impulsive.
Antonyms
discreet, prudent, wise, judicious, careful, cautious, sensible, circumspect, guarded.
Word Forms
| Part of Speech | Words |
|---|---|
| Noun | indiscreetness, indiscreetnesses |
| Verb | None |
| Adjective | indiscreet |
| Adverb | None |
Example Sentences
-
It would be indiscreet to discuss his personal affairs in public.
-
She made an indiscreet comment about their colleague’s weight and hurt his feelings.
-
His indiscreet behavior at the party got him fired from the company.
-
The journalist was criticized for being indiscreet and revealing the identity of the witness.
Usage
The word ‘indiscreet’ is commonly used to describe someone who speaks or acts imprudently and without caution, usually resulting in negative consequences. The word can be broken down into parts to understand its meaning. The prefix ‘in-’ means ’not’ or ’lacking’, indicating the absence of discretion or good judgment in this case. The root ‘discret’ comes from the Latin word ‘discretus’, which means ‘separated’ or ‘divided’, showing the idea of separating or dividing between what should be kept private or public. Finally, the suffix ‘-et’ converts the word into an adjective, meaning that the noun is characterized by the quality of indiscretion.
Indiscreet behavior is often criticized, as it can lead to unpleasant outcomes such as hurting someone’s feelings or exposing confidential information. People who are indiscreet may be seen as impulsive or reckless, lacking the ability to think things through before acting or speaking. The use of the word ‘indiscreet’ implies that there is a right and wrong way to behave in certain situations, and that those who do not exercise good judgment are at fault.
The word ‘indiscreet’ can be modified with various prefixes and suffixes to add shades of meaning. For example, the prefix ‘un-’ can be added to form ‘undiscreet’, which means the same thing as ‘indiscreet’, emphasizing the idea of lacking discretion. The suffix ‘-ion’ can be added to form the noun ‘indiscretion’, which refers to an act of indiscreet behavior. Other variations of the word include ‘indiscreetly’, which is the adverb form of ‘indiscreet’, and ‘indiscretionary’, which is an adjective form that emphasizes the ability to make mistakes or bad decisions.
Overall, the word ‘indiscreet’ is an important term in expressing the consequences of not exercising good judgment, and highlights the need for discretion in certain situations. Whether it is in personal relationships or professional situations, being indiscreet could cause various problems, making the use of the term essential when describing such behavior.