indiscretion
/ɪndɪˈskrɛʃ(ə)n
/noun [mass noun]
Behaviour or speech that is indiscreet or displays a lack of good judgement: he knew himself all too prone to indiscretion [count noun]: sexual indiscretions...
- In case of divorce, it's common to draw up a contract in advance, so why not in case of sexual indiscretion?
- An indiscretion or mistake committed by the press should be examined first as to whether it was free of malice or an intentional action, he said.
- Had it not been for my indiscretion, or intended indiscretion, Gerald wouldn't be in this predicament right now.
Synonyms
imprudence, injudiciousness, lack of caution, incaution, irresponsibility;
carelessness, rashness, unwariness, haste, recklessness, precipitateness, impulsiveness, foolhardiness, foolishness, folly, poor judgement, short-sightedness;
indelicacy, tactlessness, lack of diplomacy, insensitivity
blunder, lapse, gaffe, mistake, error, breach of etiquette, slip, miscalculation, impropriety;
misdemeanour, transgression, peccadillo, offence, misdeed, crime, felony, sin;
(indiscretions) wrongdoing, misconduct, mischief, mischievousness, wickedness, misbehaviour, bad behaviour;
French faux pas
informal slip-up
archaic trespass
Origin
Middle English: from late Latin indiscretio(n-), from in- (expressing negation) + discretio 'separation' (in late Latin 'discernment'), from discernere 'separate out, discern'.