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discretion

discretion

96 5.1
Freedom to decide what to do in a situation
  • noun
  • /dɪsˈkrɛʃən/
translation icon : facultad
  • Federal prosecutors would retain their absolute discretion over whether to indict and what to charge.
  • exercise discretion
  • the court's discretion
  • discretion to decide

But we are given the discretion to make choices.

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Examples

  • And so it's up to the discretion of the judge.

  • It is at her discretion to choose the best candidate for the job.

  • It's what you do with the discretion that is given to you.

  • And it's at our discretion what we choose to bill for.

  • But we are given the discretion to make choices.

  • Actually, that is at the discretion of my superior.

  • School officials also have greater discretion in the classroom and in the context of planned school events.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Applicants should use their discretion when it comes to including photos in the resume.

    Academic text (2012)
  • The rest of the funds I will disperse at my discretion.

  • New Federalism's block grants gave states broad discretion over social spending.

Synonyms

authority
vsdiscretion
731 3.5

Power to give orders and make people obey

is freedom to decide by personal judgment rather than formal power
say-so
vsdiscretion
87 5.6

Permission that a person in charge gives to do something

is the freedom to decide oneself rather than permission from others
leeway
vsdiscretion
37 4.3

Extra room to act and allow small mistakes

is freedom to decide by judgment rather than merely an allowed margin
latitude
vsdiscretion
30 5.8

Freedom to act or make decisions within limits

is freedom to decide by personal judgment rather than only fitting limits
autonomy
vsdiscretion
28 5.7

Freedom to make your own decisions and act independently

is freedom to decide by judgment often given within a role
free rein
vsdiscretion
15 4.1

Freedom to act and make choices without someone controlling you

is freedom to decide by personal judgment that can be limited
carte blanche
vsdiscretion
11 8.1

Freedom to act without asking permission

is freedom to decide by personal judgment often with some limits
free hand
vsdiscretion
5 4.1

The freedom to act or decide without being told what to do

is freedom to decide by personal judgment often within assigned duties
legroom
vsdiscretion
1 3.6

Freedom to make decisions and act without strict limits

is freedom to decide by personal judgment often with real authority

Antonyms

524 3.2

A duty you feel to do something because it is right or someone helped you

How Free

autonomy
28 5.7
discretion
96 5.1
authority
731 3.5
restriction
340 3.0
constraint
86 4.6

Surface Forms

discretion singular
discretions plural

Morphology

discretion = discreet (semi-transparent) = discreet + ion

The morphological formation from 'discreet' + '-ion' is regular, but the specific sense 'freedom or authority to make decisions' is an extended, conventionalized meaning not fully predictable from 'careful'.

Etymology

Discretion comes from an old word meaning 'to separate' and is related to discern, which is about choosing between things. So, when you have discretion you have the freedom to 'choose' or decide for yourself.