discretionary

[US]/dɪˈskreʃənəri/
[UK]/dɪˈskreʃəneri/
Frequency: Very High

Translation

adj. based on one's own discretion or judgment, unrestricted

Phrases & Collocations

discretionary spending

discretionary income

discretionary power

Example Sentences

the criminal courts possess a discretionary power to make compensation orders.

rules are inevitably less flexible than a discretionary policy.

The judge has the power to make discretionary awards.

Real-world Examples

He also reminded me he has discretionary control over your trust fund.

Source: Sherlock Holmes: The Basic Deduction Method Season 2

When companies tighten their belts, they look first to discretionary spending.

Source: The Economist (Summary)

Views on what counts as a discretionary benefit can shift over time.

Source: The Economist (Summary)

The Budget Control Act of 2011 put caps on defense and discretionary programs.

Source: NPR News February 2017 Compilation

Defense and other discretionary programs are actually projected to shrink slightly as a percent of GDP.

Source: Economic Crash Course

Sources close to the negotiations say differences on how to adjust the discretionary spending are narrowing.

Source: BBC Listening Collection May 2023

Up to $1.2 billion of that will come from New York state's Excelsior program, a discretionary tax credit.

Source: New York Times

He also used mandatory – which is something someone must do and is the opposite of the word discretionary.

Source: 6 Minute English

Repayments are leading consumers to cut back on discretionary spending and most digital offerings are discretionary.

Source: Economist Business

And Target focuses much more on discretionary items than Walmart does.

Source: Financial Times Podcast

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