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
Domestic revenue saw weakness throughout the quarter due to lower discretionary spending.
—
Ankita Dhawan, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
While discretionary spending may decline in bear markets, health care demand remains resilient.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 10 July 2025
Historically, developments of the type on Rosecrans have been subject to discretionary review, meaning the public gets an opportunity to weigh in.
—Tyler Faurot, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2025
According to Vought, those figures include discretionary and mandatory spending included in the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act, which was signed into law by President Trump on Friday.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for discretionary
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Ankita Dhawan, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
While discretionary spending may decline in bear markets, health care demand remains resilient.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 10 July 2025
Historically, developments of the type on Rosecrans have been subject to discretionary review, meaning the public gets an opportunity to weigh in.
—Tyler Faurot, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2025
According to Vought, those figures include discretionary and mandatory spending included in the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act, which was signed into law by President Trump on Friday.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for discretionary
Cite this Entry
“Discretionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discretionary. Accessed 22 Jul. 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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