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
That meant a range of actions, including coordinating with state, federal and county officials in the early days of recovery to help people get their feet under them, stripping back discretionary regulations and processing permits within days or hours instead of months.
—
Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2025
Provide practical strategies for reducing discretionary spending, distinguishing needs from wants and finding low-cost alternatives to expensive habits.
—Tor Constantino, Mba, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
Customers had less share of wallet for discretionary spend.
—David Moin, WWD, 21 Jan. 2025
Consumers are the other major beneficiary as lower energy costs means that consumers are left with more discretionary money in their bank accounts after filling up their cars and heating their homes.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for discretionary 
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Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2025
Provide practical strategies for reducing discretionary spending, distinguishing needs from wants and finding low-cost alternatives to expensive habits.
—Tor Constantino, Mba, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
Customers had less share of wallet for discretionary spend.
—David Moin, WWD, 21 Jan. 2025
Consumers are the other major beneficiary as lower energy costs means that consumers are left with more discretionary money in their bank accounts after filling up their cars and heating their homes.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2025
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 30 Jan. 2025.
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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