Sample Sentences for
discretion
grouped by contextual meaning
(editor-reviewed)

discretion as in:  It is within her discretion.

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The new law reduces a judge's discretion when sentencing violent criminals.
discretion = the right to make a decision
Show 3 more with this contextual meaning
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    Airlines have broad discretion to refuse to transport any passenger thought to be a safety risk.
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    It's just not practical to write a disorderly conduct law that does not depend upon police discretion.
    discretion = the right to make decisions (and perhaps accompanying good judgment)
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    It was an abuse of prosecutorial discretion.
    discretion = the right to make decisions
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Show 10 more with 2 word variations
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    She serves at the President's discretion.
    discretion = right to make a decision (The President can decide if she holds an office or not.)
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    "For being the good son, my brother has his own discretions," he says, and his air is surprisingly playful.†  (source)
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    Counsel reserves the right to terminate at her discretion.  (source)
    discretion = the authority to make a decision
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    Her discretions interested him almost as much as her imprudences: he was so sure that both were part of the same carefully-elaborated plan.†  (source)
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    "You could request a humanitarian visa." That's at the discretion of the attorney general and it's not easily given.  (source)
    discretion = authority to use judgment to do something
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    'Tis one of the best discretions of a 'oman as ever I did look upon.†  (source)
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    One never knows what she has, sir: she is so cunning: it is not in mortal discretion to fathom her craft.  (source)
    discretion = ability
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    For if the difference proceeded from the temper of the brain, and the organs of Sense, either exterior or interior, there would be no lesse difference of men in their Sight, Hearing, or other Senses, than in their Fancies, and Discretions.†  (source)
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    This is a strong argument for leaving the matter to the discretion of the legislature.  (source)
    discretion = the authority to make a decision
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    It is petter that friends is the sword and end it; and there is also another device in my prain, which peradventure prings goot discretions with it.†  (source)
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discretion as in:  embarrassing lack of discretion

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This firm prides itself on its discretion and will not reveal client matters or even acknowledge who is a client.
discretion = behavior that does not attract undesired attention or reveal secrets
Show 3 more with this contextual meaning
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    I mistakenly thought I could trust her discretion, so I gave her my cell phone number. Now I need a new number.
    discretion = behavior that does not reveal private information
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    I thought I could trust his discretion, but it turns out that he likes to gossip.
    discretion = behavior that does not attract undesired attention or reveal private information
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    I'd be willing to compensate you for your time and your discretion.  (source)
    discretion = behavior that does not attract attention or reveal private information
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Show 10 more with 2 word variations
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    Demosthenes can trust our discretion. Just as I trust Demosthenes not to tell Locke what's going on here today.  (source)
    discretion = trustworthiness with secrets
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    Catherine and Isabella were sitting in the library, on hostile terms, but silent: the latter alarmed at her recent indiscretion, and the disclosure she had made of her secret feelings in a transient fit of passion; the former, on mature consideration, really offended with her companion; and, if she laughed again at her pertness, inclined to make it no laughing matter to her.  (source)
    indiscretion = behavior that attracts undesirable attention or reveals private information
    standard prefix: The prefix "in-" in indiscretion means not and reverses the meaning of discretion. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure.
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    However much I paid Jamaican servants I would never buy discretion.  (source)
    discretion = trustworthiness with secrets
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    Mr. Harding feared there had been at least very flagrant indiscretion.  (source)
    indiscretion = embarrassing behavior
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    She said nothing, however, but, "Sad, sad girl! I do not know when I shall have done scolding you," and had discretion enough to reserve the rest till they might be secure of having four walls to themselves.  (source)
    discretion = behavior that does not attract undesired attention
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    She sat motionless, with her eyes bent down, staring at her open fan, deeply flushed, shrinking together as if to minimise the indiscretion of which she confessed herself guilty.  (source)
    indiscretion = behavior that attracts undesirable attention or reveals private information
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    She had told Morris Townsend that she would not mention him to her father, and she saw no reason to retract this vow of discretion.  (source)
    discretion = keeping a secret (so that discomfort is not caused for another)
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    Yet there must have been some marked display of attentions to her cousin, there must have been some strong indiscretion, since her correspondent was not of a sort to regard a slight one.  (source)
    indiscretion = embarrassing behavior
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    In the meantime, I have to ask you for your discretion. The meetings are confidential.  (source)
    discretion = behavior that does not attract attention or reveal private information
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    Excuse my indiscretion.  (source)
    indiscretion = behavior that attracts undesirable attention or reveals private information
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discretion as in:  Parental discretion advised.

Show 3 more with this contextual meaning
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    I count on her discretion to recommend sound investments.
    discretion = good judgment
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    There was something that he lacked: discretion, aloofness, a sort of saving stupidity.  (source)
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    The confidence he had thought fit to repose in me seemed a tribute to my discretion: I regarded and accepted it as such.  (source)
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Show 10 more with 3 word variations
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    Of this offence Buck was unwittingly guilty, and the first knowledge he had of his indiscretion was when Sol-leks whirled upon him and slashed his shoulder to the bone for three inches up and down.  (source)
    indiscretion = bad behavior
    standard prefix: The prefix "in-" in indiscretion means not and reverses the meaning of discretion. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure.
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    He came on with me to Hillingham, and found that, by Lucy's discretion, her mother was lunching out, so that we were alone with her.  (source)
    discretion = good judgment
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    JFK's indiscretions go far beyond those of Profumo.†  (source)
    standard prefix: The prefix "in-" in indiscretions means not and reverses the meaning of discretions. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure.
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    I daresay you know, like everybody else, that once, many years ago, I was guilty of an indiscretion.  (source)
    indiscretion = behavior that displayed poor judgment
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    Catherine usually sat by me, but to-day she stole nearer to Hareton; and I presently saw she would have no more discretion in her friendship than she had in her hostility.  (source)
    discretion = good judgment
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    Occasionally drinking too much, getting into a fight, or even having an extramarital affair—these weren't indiscretions significant enough to destroy the reputation and standing of an honest and industrious black man who could be trusted to do good work.†  (source)
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    She had said, in effect, that she found such a thing impossible to believe, that if it were true he had merely committed a childish indiscretion-- and probably to show off.  (source)
    indiscretion = behavior that displays a lack of good judgment
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    And when I learned who she was, being delighted with her beauty and discretion, I became inflamed with love and it appeared to me that the sun would be dark to me if I did not marry her at once.  (source)
    discretion = good judgment or good taste
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    It was the holiday season that taught me about tax refunds, which I gathered were free bits of money sent to the poor in the new year to save them from the financial indiscretions of the old one.†  (source)
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    Has she never in her life done some folly—some indiscretion—that she should not forgive your sin?  (source)
    indiscretion = behavior that displays a lack of good judgment
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