indiscretion

[in-di-skresh-uhn] / ˌɪn dɪˈskrɛʃ ən /

NOUN

mistake

Synonyms

STRONGEST

error gaffe lapse miscue misjudgment recklessness

STRONG

crudeness excitability folly foolishness gaucherie goof goof-up hastiness imprudence indiscreetness ingenuousness rashness slip slipup stumble stupidity tactlessness thoughtlessness unseemliness

WEAK

bumble dropping the ball dumb move faux pas fool mistake foul-up misspeak naïveté screwup slip of the tongue

Antonyms

STRONGEST

correction

STRONG

judgment seriousness thoughtfulness wisdom

WEAK

care discreetness discretion right

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

There follows a catalog of gaucheness and indiscretion.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

The sparks between them are obvious, and Appa, the soul of indiscretion, can’t help meddling in his overbearing way.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

Years later, he literally mobilized an army to prevent that brief indiscretion from destroying his political ambitions.

From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026

Towards the start of his reign, Frank dropped a player from Tottenham's starting XI after the squad member reported late for a pre-match meeting and then did not apologise for the indiscretion.

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2026

The sight of him cross-legged on newspapers spread on the floor, intently whisking a brush over the leather, always reminds her of her indiscretion in her parents’ corridor.

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri

Vocabulary lists containing indiscretion

The Call of the Wild

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A Doll's House

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The Importance of Being Earnest

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