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
Earmarks cannot exceed 1% of total discretionary spending.
—
Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2026
By 2036, mandatory outlays such as Social Security and major health care programs such as Medicaid and Medicare will total more than $7 trillion, vying for the majority of the government’s funding before discretionary spending can be allocated.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2026
While stock-market gains may be boosting spending among wealthier households, there are signs discretionary spending is less robust for lower-income Americans relying primarily on more moderate wage growth.
—Bloomberg Wire, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
In a region where water is neither abundant nor easily replaced, reducing discretionary outdoor use is one of the most effective ways to ensure Aurora can support growth through full buildout as water rights become more costly and scarce.
—Mike Coffman, Denver Post, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for discretionary
Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2026
By 2036, mandatory outlays such as Social Security and major health care programs such as Medicaid and Medicare will total more than $7 trillion, vying for the majority of the government’s funding before discretionary spending can be allocated.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2026
While stock-market gains may be boosting spending among wealthier households, there are signs discretionary spending is less robust for lower-income Americans relying primarily on more moderate wage growth.
—Bloomberg Wire, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
In a region where water is neither abundant nor easily replaced, reducing discretionary outdoor use is one of the most effective ways to ensure Aurora can support growth through full buildout as water rights become more costly and scarce.
—Mike Coffman, Denver Post, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for discretionary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discretionary
Adjective
-
Many cameras offer optional subscription services for cloud storage and advanced AI features.—
Trisha Easto,
USA Today,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Insecticide This method usually follows the heat treatment method and is optional.—
Rae Ford,
Martha Stewart,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
These funds support a voluntary return-home program in which returners receive a stipend for up to seven years.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
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In fact, Lifetouch was the first school photography company to sign a voluntary and enforceable privacy pledge—reaffirming our deep commitment to protecting school communities.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Discretionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discretionary. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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