Definition of discretionary
1 : left to individual choice or judgment : exercised at one's own discretion discretionary powers
2 : available for discretionary use discretionary income
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Examples of discretionary in a Sentence
discretionary spending on luxuries dropped dramatically last year
Recent Examples of discretionary from the Web
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While failure to pay interest would be tantamount to default for most debt securities, coupon payments on newer contingent convertible bonds, known as CoCos, are discretionary.
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Heritage has played a key role in shaping Trump administration policy ideas — including the president’s proposed budget, which would slash discretionary spending for science, education and other social services.
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In many instances, such discretionary responses furnish the agency with an opportunity to correct misperceptions or inaccurate factual statements that are the basis for a request.
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This is discretionary spending, and people are not spending.
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But these programs should be critiqued, better alternatives developed and the budgetary costs of the improved programs incorporated into the discretionary totals.
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Kickstarter certainly hasn’t made this flaw easier to deal with, as the number of really awesome board games appearing there on a nearly daily basis is quickly depleting my discretionary budget.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'discretionary'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of discretionary
see discreet
First Known Use: 1698
Other Legal Terms
DISCRETIONARY Defined for English Language Learners
discretionary
playDefinition of discretionary for English Language Learners
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: available to be used when and how you decide
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: done or used when necessary
Law Dictionary
discretionary
playLegal Definition of discretionary
: 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
Additional Notes on discretionary
A public official generally has qualified immunity from lawsuits that arise from his or her discretionary acts.
Learn More about discretionary
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See words that rhyme with discretionary Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for discretionary Spanish Central: Translation of discretionary Nglish: Translation of discretionary for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of discretionary for Arabic speakers
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