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
Wu was also criticized this week by two city councilors, Ed Flynn and Erin Murphy, for allocating new discretionary block party grant funding for the FIFA World Cup.
—
Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 17 Apr. 2026
Mark Hamrick, a senior economic analyst with Bankrate, says households should focus on prioritizing essential spending over discretionary purchases.
—Tania Francois, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
Research also suggests that travel is becoming the top discretionary spending category for affluent travelers.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 15 Apr. 2026
Non-defense discretionary programs include support for education and training, public health and medical research, food and nutrition programs, federal law enforcement, and so on.
—Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for discretionary
Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 17 Apr. 2026
Mark Hamrick, a senior economic analyst with Bankrate, says households should focus on prioritizing essential spending over discretionary purchases.
—Tania Francois, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
Research also suggests that travel is becoming the top discretionary spending category for affluent travelers.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 15 Apr. 2026
Non-defense discretionary programs include support for education and training, public health and medical research, food and nutrition programs, federal law enforcement, and so on.
—Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for discretionary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discretionary
Adjective
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Meanwhile, Victor Hedman skated yet again Sunday morning in the team’s optional practice.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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In a fireside chat with Sarah Jones, senior editor of strategic content at Sourcing Journal, Lewkowitz said the industry’s shift toward transparency is no longer optional, but a fundamental requirement for survival in a volatile climate and a stricter regulatory landscape.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Russell was charged in state court with voluntary manslaughter and pleaded guilty, receiving a jail sentence and probation.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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Join others in voluntary efforts to keep ICE away from hospitals, schools, and shelters.—
Robert B. Reich,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Discretionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discretionary. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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