discretionarilyadv.

1681 Arraignm. & Plea E. Fitz-Harris 56 This is not like the Case of an Appeal for Murder neither, for though it hath been used discretionarily in the Court to stay the Suit of the King, and to prefer the Suit of the Subject, it was then because the Subject had the first and nearest concern.

1718 C. Place Enq. Nature & Orig. Fifty-fifth Canon 81 Those who cannot comply with Praying always, on all Occasions, by the same establish'd Forms, but are for varying them discretionarily, as the State and Circumstances of Things require.

1794 Ld. Nelson Let. 12 July in Dispatches & Lett. (1844) I. 432 I will discretionarily order them a little wine as an encouragement.

1824 Bangor (Maine) Reg. 12 Aug. Lands, the price of which the agent may regulate discretionarily, at exorbitant prices.

1898 in A. C. Parkerson How Uncle Sam Fights xxi. 204 In no other instance has this democratic government conferred upon individuals so wide and extensive a range of power to be exercised discretionarily, as in the naval service.

1954 Amer. Jrnl. Compar. Law 3 237 Parliament could discretionarily alter the balance of powers between legislature, executive, and the courts.

1982 M. D. Forkosch Outer Space & Legal Liability v. 154 The Court may, of course, follow (or determine) such State law and discretionarily apply it as and when possible.

2010 Guardian 19 Feb. 33/5 Those with savings above £35,000 who were discretionarily bailed out by the chancellor can count themselves as incredibly lucky.