discretionary

adjective

dis·​cre·​tion·​ary di-ˈskre-shə-ˌner-ē How to pronounce discretionary (audio)
Synonyms of discretionarynext
1
: left to individual choice or judgment : exercised at one's own discretion
discretionary powers
2
: available for discretionary use
discretionary income

Synonyms

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Examples of discretionary in a Sentence

discretionary spending on luxuries dropped dramatically last year
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The top sectors were healthcare +2%, discretionary +1.21%, and staples +0.86%, while utilities -0.81%, materials -0.58%, and tech -0.24%. — Brendan Ahern, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025 Consumer discretionary stocks, which have made up the worst-performing sector so far this year, led the S&P 500 higher for the day. — Michele Luhn, CNBC, 25 Mar. 2025 Nine teams paid a total tax of $311 million last year, and half of that goes toward the commissioner’s discretionary fund and is redistributed to teams that receive revenue sharing. — Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 25 Mar. 2025 This is resulting in more cautious spending, particularly in highly discretionary categories such as jewelry. — Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for discretionary

Word History

Etymology

discretion + -ary entry 2

First Known Use

1698, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of discretionary was in 1698

Phrases Containing discretionary

Rhymes for discretionary

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Browse Nearby Words

discretionarily
discretionary
discretionary account
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Cite this Entry

“Discretionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discretionary. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.

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Legal Definition

discretionary

adjective
dis·​cre·​tion·​ary dis-ˈkre-shə-ˌner-ē How to pronounce discretionary (audio)
: 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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