discretionary

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But Pete Brown, Park’s communications director, told me Friday afternoon that the office is exploring ways to pay for fixes that don’t take 10 years, including the use of discretionary funds.

From Los Angeles Times • May 9, 2026

The pessimistic outlook is starting to affect purchases of appliances and vehicles for middle-class consumers and any sort of discretionary purchases for moderate-income consumers, said Heather Long, chief economist at Navy Federal Credit Union.

From MarketWatch • May 8, 2026

"Both give relatively positive signals about the health of discretionary spending, despite the hit to consumers' purchasing power from higher gasoline prices," said Thomas Ryan, North America economist at Capital Economics.

From BBC • May 8, 2026

“Almost everyone has some discretionary time,” Ms. Vanderkam writes, “and many of us have a great deal if we’re willing to be more organized and honest about it.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

Most prosecutors’ offices lack any manual or guidebook advising prosecutors how to make discretionary decisions.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander