discretionary
adjective
dis·cre·tion·ary
di-ˈskre-shə-ˌner-ē 
1
: left to individual choice or judgment : exercised at one's own discretion
discretionary powers
2
: available for discretionary use
discretionary income
Examples of discretionary in a Sentence
discretionary spending on luxuries dropped dramatically last year
Recent Examples on the Web
At the same time, set aside a reasonable amount for discretionary spending to maintain a balanced lifestyle.
—
True Tamplin, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
Across-the-Board Spending Cuts, a package of three separate bills that would require federal agencies to cut non-security discretionary spending by 1%, 2%, or 5%, beginning in fiscal year 2026.
—Vivian Jones, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
While discretionary spending requires annual appropriations, mandatory spending is approved for either multi-year periods or indefinitely.
—Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
The deal limited discretionary spending across the federal budget, including NASA, for fiscal 2024 and 2025.
—Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for discretionary 
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True Tamplin, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
Across-the-Board Spending Cuts, a package of three separate bills that would require federal agencies to cut non-security discretionary spending by 1%, 2%, or 5%, beginning in fiscal year 2026.
—Vivian Jones, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
While discretionary spending requires annual appropriations, mandatory spending is approved for either multi-year periods or indefinitely.
—Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
The deal limited discretionary spending across the federal budget, including NASA, for fiscal 2024 and 2025.
—Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for discretionary
Dictionary Entries Near discretionary
Cite this Entry
“Discretionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discretionary. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
discretionary
adjective
dis·cre·tion·ary
dis-ˈkre-shə-ˌner-ē
: left to discretion : exercised at one's own discretion
specifically
: relating to the policy-making function of a public official see also Federal Tort Claims Act compare ministerial
Note: A public official generally has qualified immunity from lawsuits that arise from his or her discretionary acts.
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