compulsory

adjective

com·​pul·​so·​ry kəm-ˈpəls-rē 

-ˈpəl-sə-

1

: mandatory, enforced

compulsory retirement

2

: coercive, compelling

compulsory measures

compulsorily

kəm-ˈpəls-rə-lē 

-ˈpəl-sə-

adverb

Synonyms

• forced
• imperative
• incumbent
• involuntary
• mandatory
• necessary
• nonelective
• obligatory
• peremptory
• required

Examples of compulsory in a Sentence

To free the mind and the heart from compulsory religious confession and observance was good for all three interested parties: the state, the church and the people. —Jon Meacham, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2009

So he wants a private life and no photographs and nobody to know his home address. I can dig it, I can relate to that (but, like he should try it when it's compulsory instead of a free-choice option). —Salman Rushdie, New York Times Book Review, 14 Jan. 1990

He began to resent the compulsory attendance at the boring factory meetings. —James Reston, Jr., Time, 28 Nov. 1988

compulsory retirement at age 70

Recent Examples on the Web

In Shrinking’s sophomore season, however, that sense of uneasy interrogation is gone, and in its place is a puddle of narrative goo, an after-school special masquerading as a sitcom, an act of aggression toward anyone who blanches at the compulsory nature of forgiveness. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Dec. 2024

One thing to bear in mind: Military service is compulsory for non-Arab Israeli citizens 18 and up, including oleh, or Jewish immigrants to Israel (with a few exceptions). —Ashlea Halpern, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Nov. 2024

With military service compulsory for most Jews, Mr. Gallant said that drafting the ultra-Orthodox was both an issue of fairness and security at a time when Israel faces so many challenges. —Josef Federman, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Nov. 2024

Far from being a compulsory burden or tax as some critics lazily posit, sports betting is a voluntary entertainment option, comparable to attending a concert, dining out, or going to the movies. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French compulsorie "compelling, coercive," borrowed from Medieval Latin compulsōrius, derivative, with -tōrius, deverbal adjective suffix (originally forming derivatives from agent nouns ending in -tōr-, -tor) of Latin compellere "to drive together, force to go, force (to a view, course of action)" (with -s- from past participle compulsus) — more at compel

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

compulsory

adjective

com·​pul·​so·​ry kəm-ˈpəls-(ə-)rē 

1

: required by or as if by law

compulsory education

2

: having the power of forcing someone to do something

a compulsory law

Legal Definition

compulsory

adjective

com·​pul·​so·​ry kəm-ˈpəl-sə-rē 

1

: required or compelled by law : mandatory, obligatory

compulsory arbitration

compulsory insurance

specifically : required to be brought or asserted in a pleading because of having arisen from the transaction or occurrence that is the subject of litigation

a compulsory counterclaim

compulsory reconvention

compare elective, permissive

2

: using compulsion : compelling

compulsory measures

compulsorily

-sə-rə-lē 

adverb