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
Even before the Education Department announced the frozen funds, the affected grants were zeroed out in Trump’s discretionary budget request for fiscal year 2026.
—
Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025
Metro Phoenix restaurants: 'There is a softening' Less foot traffic or less money spent in restaurants can indicate that people have less discretionary money to spend.
—Corina Vanek, AZCentral.com, 7 July 2025
Consumers also need to make strategic decisions that minimize essential use — such as all indoor use — and curb discretionary use, such as outdoor irrigation.
—Stephanie Threinen, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Rising prices are making consumers more cost-conscious, further dampening the growth of discretionary spending within the industry.
—Richard Kestenbaum, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for discretionary
Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025
Metro Phoenix restaurants: 'There is a softening' Less foot traffic or less money spent in restaurants can indicate that people have less discretionary money to spend.
—Corina Vanek, AZCentral.com, 7 July 2025
Consumers also need to make strategic decisions that minimize essential use — such as all indoor use — and curb discretionary use, such as outdoor irrigation.
—Stephanie Threinen, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Rising prices are making consumers more cost-conscious, further dampening the growth of discretionary spending within the industry.
—Richard Kestenbaum, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for discretionary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discretionary
Adjective
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Once in the main lounge, La Première customers can now book optional suites with a butler, a spacious living room, a bedroom with a double bed, a bathroom, and even an outdoor patio.—
Michele Robson,
Fortune,
5 July 2025
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However, in today's rapidly changing business landscape, empathy has become essential, not optional.—
Heather V. MacArthur,
Forbes.com,
3 July 2025
Adjective
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Viewers and listeners of PBS and NPR are significantly more affluent than the average American, which gives them the means to support public broadcasting through voluntary contributions.—
The Editors,
National Review,
14 July 2025
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On June 9, Alma Pak International LLC announced a voluntary recall of 400 boxes of its organic blueberries due to the presence of Listeria monocytogenes.—
Raven Brunner,
People.com,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Discretionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discretionary. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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