as in optional
subject to one's freedom of choice
discretionary spending on luxuries dropped dramatically last year
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of discretionary
Though the City Council acted to restore some funding toward wildfire-prevention brush management that Mayor Todd Gloria had tried to cut and restored discretionary funds that council members can distribute in their communities, the impact of those moves isn’t immediately clear.
—
Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2025
Domestic revenue saw weakness throughout the quarter due to lower discretionary spending.
—Ankita Dhawan, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
While discretionary spending may decline in bear markets, health care demand remains resilient.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 10 July 2025
Historically, developments of the type on Rosecrans have been subject to discretionary review, meaning the public gets an opportunity to weigh in.
—Tyler Faurot, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for discretionary
Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2025
Domestic revenue saw weakness throughout the quarter due to lower discretionary spending.
—Ankita Dhawan, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
While discretionary spending may decline in bear markets, health care demand remains resilient.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 10 July 2025
Historically, developments of the type on Rosecrans have been subject to discretionary review, meaning the public gets an opportunity to weigh in.
—Tyler Faurot, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for discretionary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discretionary
Adjective
-
Compliance isn’t optional—staying informed and ahead of any local or statewide regulations around rent control, evictions or other tenant rights is essential to operate responsibly and sustainably while avoiding costly legal issues.—
Nathan Miller,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
-
If breaks are optional, are short breaks ever paid?—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
Viewers and listeners of PBS and NPR are significantly more affluent than the average American, which gives them the means to support public broadcasting through voluntary contributions.—
The Editors,
National Review,
14 July 2025
-
On June 9, Alma Pak International LLC announced a voluntary recall of 400 boxes of its organic blueberries due to the presence of Listeria monocytogenes.—
Raven Brunner,
People.com,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Discretionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discretionary. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share