MANDATORY Synonyms: 35 Similar and Opposite Words

mandatory

adjective

ˈman-də-ˌtȯr-ē

Definition of mandatory

as in compulsory

forcing one's compliance or participation by or as if by law the tests are mandatory for all students wishing to graduate

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of mandatory The Panhandle remains blanketed in storm watches and warning, with mandatory evacuations underway in four counties and a state of emergency declared in 25 counties. — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026 Beyond opposing the state takeover, CVPE advocates against mandatory STAAR testing and urges parents to boycott the exams. — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026 Okaloosa County announced mandatory evacuations for some coastal areas, and communities closed government offices as of Thursday afternoon. — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026 There are no mandatory upfront fees, although Earnest offers an optional origination fee of 1% to 8% in exchange for a lower interest rate. — Dan Avery,megan Dematteo, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mandatory

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mandatory

Adjective

Although the regime has retreated from enforcing compulsory veiling, the opposition movement has continued to radicalize.

— Mansoor Moaddel, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026
Reczek and Bosley-Smith read the return partly as evidence of compulsory kinship’s durability, and the evidence supports them.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of compulsory

Adjective

That follows two $500,000 ad buys from the business group, which has historically aligned with Republicans, praising incumbent Sens.

— semafor.com, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Rogers is a former congressman who ran in the 2024 race for the same seat but lost to the incumbent Democrat Elissa Slotkin.

— Karma Sabbah, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of incumbent

Adjective

Expect Raman, whom City Hall opponents have long trashed as conflict-averse, to focus on a message of possibility and positivity while holding her ground and striking back — and hard — when necessary.

— Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Officials said no other evacuations were necessary and public safety employees and emergency responders remained on duty.

— Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of necessary

Browse Nearby Words

mandating

mandatory

mandible

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“Mandatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mandatory. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of mandatory

adjective

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