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
However, the change aims to strengthen the agency's discretionary verifications in line with the tightening of immigration policies under the Trump administration.
—
Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2025
The defense may still appeal, but higher courts rarely disturb a trial judge's discretionary denial of equitable relief.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
The president's fiscal year 2026 budget request proposes a 51% cut in gross discretionary funding from HUD, including eliminating both parts of Section 8 and several other HUD programs.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
That’s a challenge for Target at a time when consumers are concerned about grocery costs and skipping discretionary purchases, according to analysts.
—Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for discretionary
Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2025
The defense may still appeal, but higher courts rarely disturb a trial judge's discretionary denial of equitable relief.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
The president's fiscal year 2026 budget request proposes a 51% cut in gross discretionary funding from HUD, including eliminating both parts of Section 8 and several other HUD programs.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
That’s a challenge for Target at a time when consumers are concerned about grocery costs and skipping discretionary purchases, according to analysts.
—Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for discretionary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discretionary
Adjective
-
Yet even with these far-reaching effects, financial literacy continues to be treated as an optional skill set rather than as a cornerstone of true economic progress.—
Kevin Cohee,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Some of these technologies are essential for ensuring the proper functioning of the service or website and cannot be disabled, while others are optional but serve to enhance the user experience in various ways.—
Matthew Strauss,
Pitchfork,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
This has for decades been underpinned by voluntary pricing agreements — voluntary in the sense that non-voluntary terms would have been worse — between the industry and the NHS.—
Ian King,
CNBC,
3 Sep. 2025
-
On August 22, Blue Bell Creameries announced a voluntary recall of its 64-ounce Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream due to the presence of undeclared nuts, which pose a risk to individuals with nut allergies.—
Daniel Orton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Discretionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discretionary. Accessed 6 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share