discretionary
adjective
dis·cre·tion·ary
di-ˈskre-shə-ˌner-ē 
1
: left to individual choice or judgment : exercised at one's own discretion
discretionary powers
2
: available for discretionary use
discretionary income
Examples of discretionary in a Sentence
discretionary spending on luxuries dropped dramatically last year
Recent Examples on the Web
Cancel unnecessary subscriptions, pause discretionary purchases, and negotiate lower rates on bills like internet or phone.
—
Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Concerns about a slowing economy and a decline in discretionary spending have pressured global markets in recent days, and pushed some consumers to stock up on products affected by the levies.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2025
The manager leads on a wide range of complex duties requiring a high degree of independence and discretionary judgment.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Homeowners are increasingly forced to cut back on discretionary spending or dip into savings just to keep up with the costs of staying put.
—Ilona Limonta-Volkova, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for discretionary
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Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Concerns about a slowing economy and a decline in discretionary spending have pressured global markets in recent days, and pushed some consumers to stock up on products affected by the levies.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2025
The manager leads on a wide range of complex duties requiring a high degree of independence and discretionary judgment.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Homeowners are increasingly forced to cut back on discretionary spending or dip into savings just to keep up with the costs of staying put.
—Ilona Limonta-Volkova, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for discretionary
Cite this Entry
“Discretionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discretionary. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
discretionary
adjective
dis·cre·tion·ary
dis-ˈkre-shə-ˌner-ē
: left to discretion : exercised at one's own discretion
specifically
: relating to the policy-making function of a public official see also Federal Tort Claims Act compare ministerial
Note: A public official generally has qualified immunity from lawsuits that arise from his or her discretionary acts.
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