as in optional
subject to one's freedom of choice discretionary spending on luxuries dropped dramatically last year

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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 Landing is a discretionary project within the coastal zone and is subject to environment review under CEQA and the California Coastal Act, a port spokesperson said. Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025 Those with sales of more than £500M have been asked to pay £50,000 into CIISA, while the lowest contribution can be discretionary for companies with revenues of less than £250,000. Jake Kanter, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025 Nailah Queen, founder of wellness brand Regally Insane in Baltimore, said many Black Americans cut back on discretionary spending after job losses. Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025 Communication services and consumer discretionary stocks are also up more than 30% during the same period. Fred Imbert,nick Wells, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for discretionary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discretionary
Adjective
  • An optional front rack on both models adds instant utility without marring the retro-fantastic looks.
    William Roberson, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • And battery life is better, the Mini 5 Pro gets 36 minutes per charge with its standard battery and 52 minutes of flight time with an optional extended life cell, up from 45 minutes for the Mini 4 Pro.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Debtor filed a voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition.
    Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Earlier this year, LNK International issued a voluntary recall of its Kirkland Signature Severe Cold & Flu Plus Congestion medication sold at Costco due to a batch mistakenly being released after it was rejected for potential foreign material contamination.
    MSNBC Newsweek, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025

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“Discretionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discretionary. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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