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
Where military service is compulsory, and may only disappoint our best or even worst men, but can be interrupted, thank god, by life’s hairpin turns.
—
Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Feb. 2026
European and American teachings focused more on compulsory figures, the basic patterns skaters would trace across the ice that give the sport its name.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Last year, Denmark sought to increase the number of young people in the military by extending compulsory enlistment to women for the first time.
—Arkansas Online, 8 Feb. 2026
The first demonstration against it took place within the very first month of its establishment, when women poured into the streets to protest compulsory hijab.
—Shahrnush Parsipur, Time, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for compulsory
Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Feb. 2026
European and American teachings focused more on compulsory figures, the basic patterns skaters would trace across the ice that give the sport its name.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Last year, Denmark sought to increase the number of young people in the military by extending compulsory enlistment to women for the first time.
—Arkansas Online, 8 Feb. 2026
The first demonstration against it took place within the very first month of its establishment, when women poured into the streets to protest compulsory hijab.
—Shahrnush Parsipur, Time, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for compulsory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compulsory
Adjective
-
Federal safety regulations limit truckers to 11 hours of driving within any 14-hour workday, followed by a mandatory 10 consecutive hours of rest.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Prosecutors said Khan’s third year of his sentence is suspended and will be served under mandatory supervision by probation officers.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The board is also considering approving a list of required reading that includes Bible passages.—
Keri Heath,
Austin American Statesman,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Each round is decided by a head-to-head battle, with the infamous Randomizer wheel determining the required ingredients, cooking style, equipment and wild card element.—
Eva Remijan-Toba,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Residents in the 4th District will face a choice in the city's single contested Common Council race, where Dakota Brace, who has previously volunteered with Great Lakes Neighbors United, has filed to challenge incumbent Alderman Dan Benning.—
Claudia Levens,
jsonline.com,
6 Mar. 2026
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At least eight incumbent legislators lost their primaries in North Carolina, including another Democrat who voted to override a Stein veto.—
Mary Ramsey
Updated March 6,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Judge Paul Friedman appeared skeptical of government claims that the policy is necessary for national security.—
Michael Kunzelman,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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The skill became especially necessary after Minnesota renovated its roster just before training camp, replacing Towns in the starting lineup with Julius Randle.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Compulsory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compulsory. Accessed 8 Mar. 2026.
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