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Synonyms

discretion

American  
[dih-skresh-uhn] / dɪˈskrɛʃ ən /

noun

  1. the power or right to decide or act according to one's own judgment; freedom of judgment or choice.

    It is entirely within my discretion whether I will go or stay.

  2. the quality of being discreet, especially with reference to one's own actions or speech; prudence or decorum.

    Throwing all discretion to the winds, he blurted out the truth.
    Synonyms:
    sense, discrimination, wisdom, judgment

idioms

  1. at discretion, at one's option or pleasure.

    They were allowed to work overtime at discretion.
discretion British  
/ dɪˈskrɛʃən /

noun

  1. the quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid social embarrassment or distress

  2. freedom or authority to make judgments and to act as one sees fit (esp in the phrases at one's own discretion, at the discretion of )

  3. the age at which a person is considered to be able to manage his own affairs

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
discretion More Idioms  

    More idioms and phrases containing discretion

    • throw caution (discretion) to the winds

Etymology

Origin of discretion

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English discrecioun, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin discrētiōn-, stem of discrētiō “separation”; equivalent to discreet + -ion

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.

Under this model, leaders give subordinates clear objectives but leave the tactical execution to their discretion.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 4, 2026

Under Erisa, loyal and conflict-free retirement-plan fiduciaries have discretion and flexibility to determine the investments most likely to maximize risk-adjusted return for the retirement savers who participate in their plans.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

Instead, guidelines on the way officers should exercise discretion have changed.

From Salon • Mar. 24, 2026

A request from BBC Wales found schools could provide alternatives for children with dietary requirements at their own discretion, but most needed to be requested and approved.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

Better to allow us to glean at our own complete discretion.

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.