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
In fiscal year 2024, the department's total budget, including discretionary and mandatory spending, was approximately $268 billion.
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Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
The UMass Chan Medical in Worcester also paused hiring and discretionary spending amid federal funding uncertainties.
—Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
Social media continues to redefine financial behaviors, driving discretionary spending and financial stress.
—Anushree Jain, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
In addition, January also saw a significant drops in discretionary spending on things like clothing and footwear (down 4.7 percent) as well as motor vehicles and parts (down 41.1 percent).
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for discretionary
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
The UMass Chan Medical in Worcester also paused hiring and discretionary spending amid federal funding uncertainties.
—Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
Social media continues to redefine financial behaviors, driving discretionary spending and financial stress.
—Anushree Jain, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
In addition, January also saw a significant drops in discretionary spending on things like clothing and footwear (down 4.7 percent) as well as motor vehicles and parts (down 41.1 percent).
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for discretionary
Cite this Entry
“Discretionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discretionary. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.
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