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indiscretion

indiscretion

38 7.3
A small mistake that shows bad judgment but is not serious
  • noun
  • /ˌɪndɪˈskrɛʃən/
translation icon : indiscreción
  • Many people forgive those little indiscretions that do not cause any real harm.
  • sexual indiscretion

And so at that point he regretted the indiscretion.

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Examples

  • If this effort continues, you will be more than forgiven for your past indiscretions.

  • After reflecting on her indiscretion, she promised to be more careful in the future.

  • "I want no talk of this little indiscretion to our visitors," he ordered.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • You call this an indiscretion?

  • Something that they don't think about, what their indiscretion costs other people.

  • There are penalties to be paid for our indiscretions, Mike.

  • All those years thinking I'd be zapped to hell for such an indiscretion, but there I was.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • David concocts a plan to free himself from the consequences of his indiscretion.

    Academic text (1995)
  • And who hasn't been guilty of a youthful indiscretion, ladies and gentlemen of the jury?

  • It may be about money, about not spending enough time together, about a past indiscretion or lapse and trust about your respective families.

Synonyms

mistake
vsindiscretion
1.0

A wrong action or decision

is narrower meaning a small act of poor judgment not any error
stupidity
vsindiscretion
51 3.4

A foolish action that shows poor judgment

is more specific meaning a single minor lapse not a general lack of sense
misstep
vsindiscretion
44 5.3

A small wrong action that causes embarrassment or harm to people's trust

is similar but points to poor judgment rather than only embarrassment
screw-up
vsindiscretion
  • Informal
33 6.1

A careless mistake that causes problems or embarrassment

is milder referring to a small lapse rather than a blunder causing problems
slip-up
vsindiscretion
13 3.7

A small careless mistake you make by accident

is about a minor act showing poor judgment rather than mere carelessness
miscue
vsindiscretion
4 7.7

A small unintentional mistake when speaking, writing, or performing an action

is about a lapse in judgment rather than just an accidental slip
dumb mistake
vsindiscretion
  • Informal
4 2.8

A careless, foolish error that causes problems

is less harsh and names a minor lapse not a strongly foolish act
peccadillo
vsindiscretion
1 9.1

A small wrong action that is not very serious

is similar but focuses on lack of judgment rather than a petty fault
imbecility
vsindiscretion
  • Informal
1 8.4

A stupid action or remark

is milder focusing on a small poor choice rather than deep foolishness
misdoing
vsindiscretion
6.9

A mistake in the way something is done that causes a problem

is about a brief lapse in judgment rather than a fault in method

Antonyms

57 4.6

Ability to make careful choices and keep private things secret

1 2.1

Paying close attention to avoid mistakes or harm

Compounds

A small mistake someone makes when young that people often forgive

How Serious

scandal
  • Literature
564 2.8
blunder
49 3.0
mistake
1.0
indiscretion
38 7.3
misstep
44 5.3
slip
79 1.6

Surface Forms

indiscretion singular
indiscretions plural

Morphology

indiscretion = discretion (semi-transparent) = in + discretion

The meaning is closely related to 'discretion', but this sense is often lexicalized as a specific imprudent act rather than just the abstract absence of discretion.

Etymology

The word indiscretion comes from in- 'not' and discretion 'careful judgment', and it is the opposite of discreet. So an indiscretion is a moment when someone is 'not careful' with their choices, a small mistake that shows poor judgment.