as in optional
subject to one's freedom of choice
discretionary spending on luxuries dropped dramatically last year
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Recent Examples of discretionary
But the consumer discretionary sector, as measured by the XLY ETF , isn’t doing as well.
—
Fred Imbert, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025
New Mexico allows the governor a certain amount of discretionary funding that can be spent on projects that require significant capital outlay.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
Other industry sources characterize consumers as more value and deal-oriented than ever, focused on essentials and experiences, and less on discretionary items, yet resilient in their spending behavior.
—David Moin, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2025
However, with the exception of the Indian Health Service, most federal tribal programs are considered discretionary and could be affected.
—Arlyssa D. Becenti, AZCentral.com, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for discretionary
Fred Imbert, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025
New Mexico allows the governor a certain amount of discretionary funding that can be spent on projects that require significant capital outlay.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
Other industry sources characterize consumers as more value and deal-oriented than ever, focused on essentials and experiences, and less on discretionary items, yet resilient in their spending behavior.
—David Moin, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2025
However, with the exception of the Indian Health Service, most federal tribal programs are considered discretionary and could be affected.
—Arlyssa D. Becenti, AZCentral.com, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for discretionary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discretionary
Adjective
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But our skin tones aren’t optional features.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
22 Oct. 2025
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An optional vintage car tour through the historic center of Turin and a lunch at the storied Ristorante del Cambio will be offered the next day.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The Rockets, who surprisingly finished second in the West behind Oklahoma City last season, were dealt a tough blow over the summer, though, when point guard Fred VanVleet was lost for the season to a torn ACL suffered during a voluntary workout.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
22 Oct. 2025
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Wegmans Food Markets issued a voluntary recall of six varieties of cheesecake on September 26 because of undeclared pecans.—
News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Discretionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discretionary. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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