indiscretion

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'indiscretion' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a lack of discretion or a thoughtless act that causes embarrassment or scandal. For example: "The mayor's indiscretion in the election caused a public outcry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The catchment of indiscretion that is Twitter also exposes just how frequently gender warriors belittle other women.

The Guardian - Opinion

In a video, Lt Jack Cambria, hostage negotiator, advises officers not to destroy their careers "for a moment of indiscretion".

The Guardian

Anyone who's spent more than 90 seconds with Walsh will know that his conversations are peppered with "you can't print this but…" gossip nuggets, and over the past month he's amped up the indiscretion and carved out a new role as the ultimate pop troll.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Obituarists recount his bleakest hour, when indiscretion and an inability to resist a dissenting quip saw him sacked from the cabinet by Margaret Thatcher, his beloved "Leaderene".

The Economist

A gaffe in the presidential debates or the discovery of a personal indiscretion could turn everything upside down.

The Economist

Indeed, as of January 31st Mr Wolfowitz's political sponsors in America had yet to pay the bank $525m they still owed from previous funding rounds (though some of that money is in America's recently passed 2008 budget).Mr Wolfowitz apologised for his indiscretion only once during the meetings.

The Economist

Mr Foster used DNA analysis to uncover Jefferson's indiscretion.

The Economist

But he is more articulate and more gracious than Mrs Palin, and there isn't a hint of scandal or indiscretion about him.

The Economist

Moreover, it is not obvious that the lesson of Mr Cruddas's indiscretion is that sweeping reform is needed.

The Economist

It becomes an offence to tamper with the ball (Pakistani bowlers used bottle tops to roughen the leather surface of the ball), or waste time (a captain can move his fielders after each ball), or distract the opposition by "sledging" (while batting at Lord's last summer, England's Graham Thorpe was reminded by the New Zealand fielders of an alleged sexual indiscretion).

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

But Fyodor III, Alexis' eldest son by his first wife, ascended the throne, and Matveyev as a consequence of his indiscretion was accused of black magic and fraud.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about sensitive topics, use "indiscretion" to subtly address questionable behavior without being overly judgmental, allowing for a more nuanced discussion.

Common error

While "indiscretion" is widely understood, avoid relying on it excessively in formal writing. Opt for more precise terms like "negligence" or "malfeasance" when describing serious breaches of conduct to maintain clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "indiscretion" is as a noun. It typically serves as the subject or object in a sentence, referring to an instance or type of imprudent behavior. Ludwig AI confirms its use across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Encyclopedias

20%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

4%

Social Media

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "indiscretion" is a versatile noun used to describe a lack of good judgment or a violation of social norms. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Encyclopedias. While grammatically correct and frequent, it's important to consider the context and choose more specific terms when greater precision is needed. When writing about such cases, always be mindful of your audience and choose the words that match the gravity of the offense. While "indiscretion" might be useful to mitigate the impact of a mistake, if you need to talk about a real crime it's better to use a more direct wording.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lapse in judgment

Focuses on the cognitive aspect of the mistake, highlighting a temporary failure in decision-making.

imprudent act

Emphasizes the lack of careful consideration before the action, suggesting a disregard for consequences.

thoughtless behavior

Highlights the lack of consideration for others or the situation, indicating a lack of sensitivity.

minor transgression

Downplays the severity of the act, presenting it as a relatively small offense.

ethical violation

Highlights the violation of ethical principles or moral standards, implying a more serious breach of conduct.

social gaffe

Refers specifically to a blunder in social situations, causing embarrassment or awkwardness.

breach of etiquette

Highlights the violation of established rules of polite behavior in a particular setting.

unwise decision

Focuses on the lack of wisdom or good judgment in the choice made, suggesting it was ill-advised.

moral failing

Highlights a deficiency in moral character or adherence to moral principles, implying a personal flaw.

careless mistake

Emphasizes the lack of attention or diligence, suggesting the error was easily avoidable.

FAQs

How to use "indiscretion" in a sentence?

Use "indiscretion" to describe an act lacking judgment or violating social norms. For example: "His "momentary indiscretion" cost him his reputation."

What can I say instead of "indiscretion"?

You can use alternatives like "lapse in judgment", "imprudence", or "gaffe" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "indiscretion" or "discretion"?

"Indiscretion" refers to a lack of discretion or an act violating social norms, while "discretion" means the quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing offense or revealing private information.

What's the difference between "indiscretion" and "mistake"?

While both involve errors, "indiscretion" specifically implies a lack of judgment that can lead to embarrassment or scandal. A "careless mistake" might be unintentional, whereas an "indiscretion" often suggests a deliberate, though ill-advised, action.