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
The general fund is the part of the city budget that is used, like a discretionary checking account, to a support the day-to-day operation of city services.
—
Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 23 Mar. 2026
To live comfortably, with some room for savings or discretionary spending, the same family would need to make closer to $200,000.
—Data Reporter, Austin American Statesman, 18 Mar. 2026
About $4 million is expected to be saved through reducing building budgets, cutting nonessential travel, consolidating services and other ways to cut discretionary spending.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
Solana Beach City Councilmember David Zito also suggested that each council member have a discretionary amount of money to allocate to organizations of their choice.
—Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for discretionary
Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 23 Mar. 2026
To live comfortably, with some room for savings or discretionary spending, the same family would need to make closer to $200,000.
—Data Reporter, Austin American Statesman, 18 Mar. 2026
About $4 million is expected to be saved through reducing building budgets, cutting nonessential travel, consolidating services and other ways to cut discretionary spending.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
Solana Beach City Councilmember David Zito also suggested that each council member have a discretionary amount of money to allocate to organizations of their choice.
—Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for discretionary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discretionary
Adjective
-
The question box includes a space for your name, but this is optional.—
Carolyn Hax,
Washington Post,
27 Mar. 2026
-
No payday lender ever made the payment of fees and interest optional.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Similar, disappointing results were found more recently in a 2022 Vanderbilt study of Tennessee’s voluntary pre-K program.—
Abby McCloskey,
Boston Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
-
This leaves due diligence up to mostly voluntary investigation process, leaving environmental and human rights risks upstream insufficiently monitored.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Sourcing Journal,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Discretionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discretionary. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
