1
as in mandatory
forcing one's compliance or participation by or as if by law
in this state, school attendance is obligatory until the age of 16
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2
as in cliche
used or heard so often as to be dull
the obligatory cliff-hanger endings for season finales of TV shows
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Recent Examples of obligatory
There’s an obligatory sob story about Stefani and her mother (Rya Kihlstedt), who abandoned her and her little brother (Teo Briones) when Stefani was 10, but the emotional stakes are held well enough by the cast’s charisma.
—
Beatrice Loayza, New York Times, 15 May 2025
And on the flip side, the Andor finale can also proceed in a minor key: quiet, suffused with frustrations and sadness alongside the obligatory hope, as Cassian, Melshi, and Kleya return to a dark and rainy Yavin, where they’re greeted by the none-too-pleased Rebel leaders.
—Jesse Hassenger, Vulture, 14 May 2025
The key insight from my work with athletes is that preparation must become appealing rather than obligatory.
—Roy Ward, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
Plus, the solo work JIN started on November’s Happy EP reverberates on his new 7-track set, Echo, which comes nearly a year after the K-pop idol became the first of his BTS bandmates to be discharged from the South Korean military after an 18-month obligatory service period.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for obligatory
Beatrice Loayza, New York Times, 15 May 2025
And on the flip side, the Andor finale can also proceed in a minor key: quiet, suffused with frustrations and sadness alongside the obligatory hope, as Cassian, Melshi, and Kleya return to a dark and rainy Yavin, where they’re greeted by the none-too-pleased Rebel leaders.
—Jesse Hassenger, Vulture, 14 May 2025
The key insight from my work with athletes is that preparation must become appealing rather than obligatory.
—Roy Ward, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
Plus, the solo work JIN started on November’s Happy EP reverberates on his new 7-track set, Echo, which comes nearly a year after the K-pop idol became the first of his BTS bandmates to be discharged from the South Korean military after an 18-month obligatory service period.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for obligatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligatory
Adjective
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The Chiefs open their three-day mandatory minicamp Tuesday before a monthlong break.—
Jesse Newell,
Kansas City Star,
14 June 2025
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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
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Netanyahu’s coalition relies on ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties, who want religious students to remain exempt from Israel’s compulsory military service, a demand the Supreme Court rejects.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
13 June 2025
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Lamar didn’t need the compulsory glitter that complements most massive concerts.—
Bob Gendron,
Chicago Tribune,
7 June 2025
Adjective
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Several leaders described the pressure of being both highly visible and easily stereotyped.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
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Their negative stereotyped reputation seems to follow them like ageism follows older employees or sexism follows female employees.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Enacted after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the SEVP rules and certification process were intended to encourage schools to report when students dropped out or no longer maintained a required courseload and to remove fraudulent or illegitimate schools.—
Stuart Anderson,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
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This comes to a head when he is faced with the F.A.A.’s required medical questionnaire.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
25 May 2025
Adjective
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The Panthers survived an Aleksander Barkov delay of game penalty and McDavid slaloming through tired penalty killers only to be turned away by Bobrovsky’s stomach snow angel.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
13 June 2025
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My therapist buffs and moisturizes my tired skin with nutrient-rich seaweed body polish and a firming mask before laying shiver-inducing strands of detoxifying fresh seaweed across my back.—
Katie Nanton,
Travel + Leisure,
12 June 2025
Adjective
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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
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Bresnahan, who flipped a blue seat in November by beating incumbent Rep. Matt Cartwright, knows his career in Congress depends on delivering for his northeastern Pennsylvania district that includes Scranton, former President Joe Biden’s hometown.—
Hailey Bullis,
The Washington Examiner,
10 June 2025
Adjective
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This is an excellent day for business and commercial ventures, because your objectives and goals are clearer to you than usual.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
22 June 2025
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Kennedy, the nurse in San Diego, said the Level 1 trauma center, which is typically packed, has been emptier than usual.—
Alejandra O’Connell-Domenech - 06,
The Hill,
21 June 2025
Adjective
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But policy continuity is key to attracting the foreign investment necessary to realize these goals.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
13 June 2025
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In its June 3 decision, the administrative panel deciding the case found that the commission failed to prove any of the three elements necessary to grant its request that Pope’s Web domain be transferred to the county.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
12 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obligatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligatory. Accessed 27 Jun. 2025.
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