indiscreetly

IPA/ˌɪndɪˈskriːtli/
IPA/ˌɪndɪˈskriːtli/

indiscreetly — adverb

1. doing or saying things without enough care about what should stay private, so th

1.adverbC1
Definition

doing or saying things without enough care about what should stay private, so that secrets are revealed or people feel embarrassed

Example

Kabir spoke indiscreetly about the merger before the board had approved the announcement.

speak + indiscreetly + about [topic]

Hao mentioned indiscreetly that his colleague's job application had been turned down.

mention + that-clause for indiscreet revelation

Common collocations
  • speak indiscreetly
  • act indiscreetly
  • behave indiscreetly
  • mention something indiscreetly
  • write indiscreetly about something
  • talk indiscreetly
Synonyms
  • carelessly

    broader meaning; lacks the specific sense of revealing secrets

  • imprudently

    more formal; covers any unwise action, not just disclosure

  • tactlessly

    focuses on causing social offence rather than revealing secrets

  • thoughtlessly

    emphasises lack of consideration rather than disclosure

Antonyms
  • discreetly

    direct opposite; acting with care to avoid revealing secrets

  • prudently

    implies general wisdom and good judgment, not just discretion

Grammar Patterns

indiscreetly + [verb of speaking/behaving]

[verb] + indiscreetly

Usage Note

This word belongs to a somewhat formal register and appears more often in written narrative than in everyday conversation. In casual speech, speakers tend to use alternatives such as 'carelessly,' 'without thinking,' or 'tactlessly.' It is also slightly dated — modern usage is less common than it was in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Common Mistakes

She indiscreetly spent her entire salary on shoes.
She recklessly spent her entire salary on shoes.
'Indiscreetly' relates to revealing secrets or private matters, not to general poor spending habits.
The children played indiscreetly and broke a window.
The children played carelessly and broke a window.
'Indiscreetly' is not a synonym for 'carelessly' in the sense of causing accidental damage; it specifically involves the disclosure of sensitive information.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

All five describe actions taken without proper caution, but the focus differs. 'Indiscreetly' is the narrowest: it specifically involves revealing what should stay private — secrets, confidential plans, or personal matters. 'Carelessly' and 'thoughtlessly' are broader and often interchangeable; they describe any action done without enough attention or consideration, not necessarily involving secrets. 'Imprudently' is more formal and covers any unwise decision, especially financial or strategic ones. 'Tactlessly' centres on social harm — saying something that hurts or offends, regardless of whether a secret was revealed. For example, mentioning a colleague's failed exam in front of others is 'tactlessly' or 'indiscreetly' depending on whether the exam result was private. Announcing a surprise birthday party plan in front of the guest of honour is 'indiscreetly' but not 'tactlessly' — the intention was good, but the secret was spoiled.

indiscreetly ↗carelessly ↗thoughtlessly ↗imprudently ↗tactlessly ↗

Common collocations

Prepositions

  • indiscreetly about [topic]

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Formed from the adjective 'indiscreet' (from Latin 'indiscretus', meaning 'not separated or not distinguished', from 'in-' meaning 'not' and 'discretus' meaning 'separated, distinct') with the adverbial suffix '-ly'. The word entered English in the late 16th century, initially carrying the broader sense of 'lacking good judgment', then gradually narrowing toward the modern meaning of 'revealing what should be kept private'.

First known use

15th century

15th century, in the meaning defined above