Synonyms of discretionary

discretionary

adjective

di-ˈskre-shə-ˌner-ē 

as in optional

subject to one's freedom of choice

discretionary spending on luxuries dropped dramatically last year

Synonyms & Similar Words

• optional
• voluntary
• elective
• unnecessary
• alternative
• unwanted
• alternate
• chosen
• dispensable
• unneeded

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• mandatory
• compulsory
• required
• obligatory
• necessary
• essential
• nonelective
• nonvoluntary
• requisite
• indispensable

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of discretionary

Even if school funding keeps growing, future increases may go to other state priorities, with no guarantee of additional discretionary grants, Kapphahn added. — Chaewon Chung updated October 8, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2026

For households already stretching every dollar, there may be no discretionary spending left to cut. — Sanya Carley, Time, 7 Oct. 2026

The company kept entry-level prices stable this year, when many consumers are reigning in discretionary spending. — Natasha Chen, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026

Meanwhile, in England and the United States and across continental Europe, statutes that punished idleness sharpened into vagrancy laws that gave police discretionary power to identify when a form of nonaction constituted criminal disorder. — Sophie Landres, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026