1
as in prudence
the ability to make intelligent decisions especially in everyday matters
we'll rely on your discretion in handling this accusation of cheating
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in option
the power, right, or opportunity to choose
ambassadorships are generally regarded as subject to the president's discretion
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in restraint
the checking of one's true feelings and impulses when dealing with others
in that job you'll be expected to show discretion and act like a professional at all times
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of discretion
Taste is born of human discretion—of growing up in particular places, being exposed to particular cultural references, developing a point of view that is inseparable from personality.
—
Nitin Nohria, The Atlantic, 10 June 2025
Judges have wide discretion, and defense attorneys often challenge the use of recorded testimony and insist on face-to-face cross-examination.
—Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
Maryland’s method, by contrast, lacks predictability and places too much discretion in the hands of the comptroller, without transparency or meaningful recourse.
—Sakinah Tillman, Baltimore Sun, 4 June 2025
Lisa Westcott Founder, The W Group Lisa Westcott has built The W Group into one of Arizona’s most respected names in real estate, known for its discretion, tenacity, and a client-first approach tailored to an elite clientele.
—Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for discretion
Nitin Nohria, The Atlantic, 10 June 2025
Judges have wide discretion, and defense attorneys often challenge the use of recorded testimony and insist on face-to-face cross-examination.
—Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
Maryland’s method, by contrast, lacks predictability and places too much discretion in the hands of the comptroller, without transparency or meaningful recourse.
—Sakinah Tillman, Baltimore Sun, 4 June 2025
Lisa Westcott Founder, The W Group Lisa Westcott has built The W Group into one of Arizona’s most respected names in real estate, known for its discretion, tenacity, and a client-first approach tailored to an elite clientele.
—Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for discretion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discretion
Noun
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Waugh: Fundamentally, Newcastle want to significantly bolster Howe’s squad while maintaining financial prudence.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
12 June 2025
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The path forward will necessitate not only compassion but also prudence—and a firm grasp of the limits of what even a generous nation can achieve.—
Andy J. Semotiuk,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
Noun
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Carney’s government is reviewing the purchase of U.S. F-35 fighter jets to see if there are other options.—
Rob Gillies,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
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If finding indoor shelter is not an option: Steer clear of open fields, hilltops, or ridge tops.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 June 2025
Noun
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Still, progressive proponents of the ERA demanded that some legal loophole must exist to circumvent those restraints.—
Sarah Bedford,
The Washington Examiner,
8 June 2025
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Intense hostility all around means that for now, neither Russia nor China is even willing to sit down to discuss nuclear restraints, in treaty form or otherwise.—
Matthew Bunn,
The Conversation,
6 June 2025
Noun
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Some are quick to point out that graduation rate may not be the best number to judge the success of a community college or even the wisdom of enrolling.—
Michael B. Horn,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
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Mihir Bose wrote the definitive book The Nine Waves: The Extraordinary Story of How India Took Over World Cricket in 2019 and disagrees with the wisdom of that Indian takeover.—
Paul Newman,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
Noun
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This is a game of choices — difficult ones, at that — in which tasks range from finding your wife and offering gifts to friends, to speaking with a skeleton who can see through time and dethroning God.—
Matt Gardner,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
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The amount of sun and the exposure in your garden should be key factors in making your plant choices.—
Tim Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
8 June 2025
Noun
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As the oldest form of art, storytelling has existed since the very beginning of time across culture, and at the crux of many creative disciplines.—
Nia Shumake,
Essence,
12 June 2025
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Finally, the two teachers are accused of assault, battery and negligent discipline, according to the lawsuit.—
Samara Gerstle,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 June 2025
Noun
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On one hand, Hitler’s father instilled in him a deep sense of powerlessness, fear and rage.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
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Did those moves stir a sense of urgency in the clubhouse?—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
8 June 2025
Noun
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Practices like meditation or simply taking a moment to pause before switching tasks, help strengthen networks connected to the prefrontal cortex—the region that is notably involved in planning, inhibition and sustained attention.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
27 May 2025
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This allows hurricanes to form and sustain longer without inhibition or limiting.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Discretion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discretion. Accessed 22 Jun. 2025.
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