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
As a result, the affected colleges face the loss of $350 million in discretionary funds that were to have been allocated in fiscal year 2025.
—
Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The Landing is a discretionary project within the coastal zone and is subject to environment review under CEQA and the California Coastal Act, a port spokesperson said.
—Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025
Those with sales of more than £500M have been asked to pay £50,000 into CIISA, while the lowest contribution can be discretionary for companies with revenues of less than £250,000.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025
Nailah Queen, founder of wellness brand Regally Insane in Baltimore, said many Black Americans cut back on discretionary spending after job losses.
—Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for discretionary
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Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The Landing is a discretionary project within the coastal zone and is subject to environment review under CEQA and the California Coastal Act, a port spokesperson said.
—Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025
Those with sales of more than £500M have been asked to pay £50,000 into CIISA, while the lowest contribution can be discretionary for companies with revenues of less than £250,000.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025
Nailah Queen, founder of wellness brand Regally Insane in Baltimore, said many Black Americans cut back on discretionary spending after job losses.
—Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 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 18 Sep. 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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