discretionary

adjective

di-ˈskre-shə-ˌner-ē How to pronounce discretionary (audio)
Definition of discretionarynext
as in optional
subject to one's freedom of choice discretionary spending on luxuries dropped dramatically last year

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 During the period in which the GoFundMe proceeds were deposited into their accounts, their discretionary spending totaled $191,192, the filing said. — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026 Rising costs have hit lower-income Americans the hardest, squeezing their discretionary spending. — Michelle Chapman, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026 Many of them are in the season of life when discretionary income rises to meet peak discretionary time. — Sophia Nguyen, The Atlantic, 2 Aug. 2026 Energy prices can influence downstream textile demand by contributing to inflation and reducing discretionary consumer spending. — Sj Guest Editorial, Footwear News, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for discretionary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discretionary
  1. optional
  2. voluntary
Adjective
  • Voting is optional in New Zealand but enrollment for those eligible and living in the country is compulsory, with failure to do so punishable by a fine of 100 New Zealand dollars ($59).
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • For those who didn’t resent this labor, a nice optional touch was to add a blanket cover, obviously over the blanket.
    — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of optional
Adjective
  • Open models will be excluded from the voluntary pre-release review, at least for now.
    — Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Initially, deaths caused by vehicle collisions could simply be prosecuted as voluntary or involuntary manslaughter.
    — Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of voluntary

Browse Nearby Words

discretion
discretionary
discretions
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Cite this Entry

“Discretionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discretionary. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on discretionary

Nglish: Translation of discretionary for Spanish Speakers

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