as in mandatory
forcing one's compliance or participation by or as if by law
compulsory retirement at age 70
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Recent Examples of compulsory
El Dorado, 1908: The town's high school was built in 1905, four years before public school became compulsory in Arkansas.
—
Ray Hanley, Arkansas Online, 8 May 2025
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) has issued compulsory evacuation orders for an area around the blaze, with lower evacuation warnings in force for a wider region.
—James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 May 2025
As China ramps up military and other pressure, Taiwan has also extended compulsory military service to one year from four months, doubled mandatory annual refresher training for reservists to two weeks, and pledged to increase its defense budget to more than 3% of its gross domestic product.
—Janis MacKey Frayer, NBC news, 30 May 2025
South Koreans aged 18-30 face some of the worst relative poverty rates among OECD countries, and the perception among young men is that 18-month compulsory national service puts them at a marked disadvantage to their female peers, who are exempt.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for compulsory
Ray Hanley, Arkansas Online, 8 May 2025
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) has issued compulsory evacuation orders for an area around the blaze, with lower evacuation warnings in force for a wider region.
—James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 May 2025
As China ramps up military and other pressure, Taiwan has also extended compulsory military service to one year from four months, doubled mandatory annual refresher training for reservists to two weeks, and pledged to increase its defense budget to more than 3% of its gross domestic product.
—Janis MacKey Frayer, NBC news, 30 May 2025
South Koreans aged 18-30 face some of the worst relative poverty rates among OECD countries, and the perception among young men is that 18-month compulsory national service puts them at a marked disadvantage to their female peers, who are exempt.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for compulsory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compulsory
Adjective
-
The Chiefs open their three-day mandatory minicamp Tuesday before a monthlong break.—
Jesse Newell,
Kansas City Star,
14 June 2025
-
But unlike that trio, the two-time All-Pro did not consider missing Gang Green’s mandatory minicamp.—
Antwan Staley,
Hartford Courant,
13 June 2025
Adjective
-
Doing so required China, Russia, and Washington’s European allies to sign on to a sanctions regime.—
KORI SCHAKE,
Foreign Affairs,
24 June 2025
-
These aren’t participation trophies but achievements that required skill, preparation and genuine contribution.—
Sughnen Yongo,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
Adjective
-
The Trump era has a tendency to eschew surprise, but this kind of language from a governor aimed at an incumbent president feels unprecedented.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
13 June 2025
-
In 2022, she was elected to the Sayreville Borough Council after defeating an incumbent Democrat.—
Essence,
Essence,
10 June 2025
Adjective
-
For many, rocking garments and accessories that reflect the richness of Black history while moving in rhythm to the soundtracks of the holiday’s celebration was not just a necessary reprieve, but a spiritual embrace.—
Essence,
Essence,
24 June 2025
-
Doctors complain the process is burdensome and it's often used to delay or deny medically necessary medical care for patients.—
Ken Alltucker,
USA Today,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Compulsory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compulsory. Accessed 28 Jun. 2025.
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