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
Even with the reductions, 2026 discretionary spending would remain essentially unchanged at $1.6 trillion.
—
Veronique De Rugy, Twin Cities, 13 May 2025
The must-read (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) The National Park Service would lose 40% of its annual funding and hundreds of parks to state control if Congress approves President Trump’s discretionary budget request, Outside magazine reports.
—Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025
The discretionary nature of the revisions should also allow schools to navigate any Title IX requirements that might arise.
—Justin Williams, New York Times, 8 May 2025
Even if companies are open to producing closer to home, consumers may not be making as many discretionary purchases now that so many necessities have jumped in price.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for discretionary
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Veronique De Rugy, Twin Cities, 13 May 2025
The must-read (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) The National Park Service would lose 40% of its annual funding and hundreds of parks to state control if Congress approves President Trump’s discretionary budget request, Outside magazine reports.
—Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025
The discretionary nature of the revisions should also allow schools to navigate any Title IX requirements that might arise.
—Justin Williams, New York Times, 8 May 2025
Even if companies are open to producing closer to home, consumers may not be making as many discretionary purchases now that so many necessities have jumped in price.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 7 May 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 20 May. 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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