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discretion
in a sentence
grouped by contextual meaning

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
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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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    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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    "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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    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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    Counsel reserves the right to terminate at her discretion.  (source)
    discretion = the authority to make a decision
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    'Tis one of the best discretions of a 'oman as ever I did look upon.†  (source)
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    This is a strong argument for leaving the matter to the discretion of the legislature.  (source)
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    For proof whereof, we are to consider the end, for which men that are Merchants, and may buy and sell, export, and import their Merchandise, according to their own discretions, doe neverthelesse bind themselves up in one Corporation.†  (source)
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    Tom saw that he could sell or trade at his discretion, and so for the time was well pleased.  (source)
    discretion = authority to use his judgment 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
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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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    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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    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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    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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    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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    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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    Excuse my indiscretion.  (source)
    indiscretion = behavior that attracts undesirable attention or reveals private information
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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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    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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discretion as in:  Parental discretion advised.

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    I count on her discretion to recommend sound investments.
    discretion = good judgment
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    Feeling discretion would gain her more than aggression, Eve contacted the clients by 'link and explained herself.  (source)
    discretion = good judgment or good taste
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    The Tisroc was apparently sunk in thought, but when, after a long pause, he noticed what was happening, he said tranquilly: "My son, by all means desist from kicking the venerable and enlightened Vizier: for as a costly jewel retains its value even if hidden in a dung-hill, so old age and discretion are to be respected even in the vile persons of our subjects."  (source)
    discretion = good judgment
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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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    Their appointments should be made with discretion and discernment.  (source)
    discretion = good judgment
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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)
    indiscretions = instances of poor judgment
    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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    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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    Helen was eating melon seeds, Chinese style. This involved shelling the seeds in her mouth with skillful discretion. She raised her hand to her lips, delicately emitted the empty hulls.  (source)
    discretion = good judgment or good taste
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    And you can rest assured that he will receive a full report of your indiscretions.†  (source)
    indiscretions = instances of poor judgment
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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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    There was something that he lacked: discretion, aloofness, a sort of saving stupidity.  (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)
    indiscretions = instances of poor judgment
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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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