Entry Word: mandatory

Function: adjective

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

Synonyms compulsory, forced, imperative, incumbent, involuntary, necessary, nonelective, obligatory, peremptory, required

Related Words all-important, essential, indispensable, needed, requisite; insistent, persistent, pressing, urgent; demanded, enforced; coercive

Near Antonyms chosen, discretionary; dispensable, unnecessary, unneeded, unwanted; inconsequential, insignificant, nonessential, unimportant

Antonyms elective, optional, voluntary