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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
In 1953, the average annual income of French farmers was less than half the national average; debt was understood as an obligatory rite of passage into modernized agriculture.
—
Made By History, Time, 25 Apr. 2025
Toward the end of the four-hour dinner, there’s the seemingly obligatory invitation to the kitchen, or in this case, to the campfire.
—Ann Abel, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Denmark made women eligible for obligatory conscription from 2026 and lowered health requirements for some roles, as part of a bolstering of the country’s armed forces.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2025
When learning feels enjoyable rather than obligatory, students naturally spend more time engaged with material, leading to deeper understanding and better retention.
—Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obligatory
Made By History, Time, 25 Apr. 2025
Toward the end of the four-hour dinner, there’s the seemingly obligatory invitation to the kitchen, or in this case, to the campfire.
—Ann Abel, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Denmark made women eligible for obligatory conscription from 2026 and lowered health requirements for some roles, as part of a bolstering of the country’s armed forces.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2025
When learning feels enjoyable rather than obligatory, students naturally spend more time engaged with material, leading to deeper understanding and better retention.
—Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obligatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligatory
Adjective
-
Withdrawals used for qualified education expenses, such as tuition, room and board, books, and other mandatory expenses, are also tax-free.—
True Tamplin,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2025
-
In December, before passing a new film funding law, the German parliament removed a clause that would have made certain DEI requirements, including meeting specific gender equality and inclusion criteria, mandatory for all productions receiving government support.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
10 May 2025
Adjective
-
The report highlights countries like Brazil and Colombia for undermining patent rights through compulsory licensing misuse, unreasonable patentability standards and delays in granting or enforcing patents.—
Scott Suckow,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 May 2025
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Cases of soldiers missing for decades have a powerful emotional and political resonance in Israel, where military service is compulsory for most Jewish men.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Christian Science Monitor,
11 May 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
At the time, Latinos were often cast in stereotyped roles with heavy accents and largely denied the opportunity to direct features.—
Maximilíano Durón,
ARTnews.com,
17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The building received its recertification, and by the Jan. 1 state deadline had filed its required milestone inspection reports and created a reserve fund.—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2025
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Think about it—how often is passion a required attribute for entrepreneurs pitching their businesses?—
Lindsay Kohler,
Forbes.com,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
At this point in the Trump show, the famously unpredictable president seems to be following a script as tired as any other long-running, low-brow procedural.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
5 May 2025
-
He’s grown tired of being optioned back and forth from the minor leagues.—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
Adjective
-
In what was ostensibly a nonpartisan race, all three incumbent candidates for Mansfield school board — all of whom were recommended by the Republican activist organization True Texas Project — fell to challengers in the May 3 elections, perhaps indicating a shift in voter sentiment.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 May 2025
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In Georgia, Republican Gov. Brian Kemp this week decided against running against Sen. Jon Ossoff, seen as the most vulnerable incumbent Democrat on the board next year.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
7 May 2025
Adjective
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Jam-packed with his absurd self-aware humor, the finale deviates from the show’s usual slapstick raunch with a rare tender moment between Jesse and his equally crude siblings, Judy (Edi Patterson) and Kelvin (Adam DeVine).—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
4 May 2025
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Edman went through his usual pregame workout Friday at Truist Park, hoping to return to the lineup on Saturday.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
Adjective
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In disparate impact cases, defendants can argue that a requirement is nonetheless necessary for a job.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
5 May 2025
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There is a limit of one per guest and no purchase, or ID, is necessary to get your free treat.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
3 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obligatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligatory. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
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