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compulsory

adjective

kəm-ˈpəls-rē How to pronounce compulsory (audio)
Definition of compulsorynext
as in mandatory
forcing one's compliance or participation by or as if by law compulsory retirement at age 70

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of compulsory Perhaps why the comparatively slim amount of time spent on Borges’ late-in-life political foibles and fascist sympathizing is so uninspired — restrained, workmanlike, intentionally unprovocative, compulsory. — Sam Bodrojan, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2026 Based on death certificates alone, a total of 1,712 people who played at least one NFL game since helmets became compulsory in 1949 died between 2008 and 2021. — Mike McRae 15, New Atlas, 15 Sep. 2026 In dressage’s usual form, one discrete movement follows another in a compulsory sequence. — Ian Parker, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026 So, as a very conscious decision for the Remake series, they’ve been made compulsory parts of the team, and they’ve really been fleshed out more and given the background and the deeper dive into them as characters. — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for compulsory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compulsory
  1. mandatory
  2. required
  3. incumbent
  4. necessary
Adjective
  • The marketplace provides a mechanism for allied countries to immediately access cutting-edge capabilities while the mandatory compatibility standards allow hardware to be produced in any participating nation, separate from proprietary software.
    — Dan Driscoll, Foreign Affairs, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The inclusion of women, albeit mandatory, is no small matter, as sailing has long been accused of being a masculine environment, if not outright sexist.
    — Stefano Pozzebon, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of mandatory
Adjective
  • As for videos, adding the required warning can satisfy the disclosure requirement in the Louisiana law.
    — Stefani Langehennig, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Because the carbon material smooths itself during deposition, manufacturers can eliminate downstream chemical mechanical planarization or etch-back steps that are normally needed to create the required surface.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of required
Adjective
  • Annette Taddeo, a candidate for chief financial officer, is among the Democrats calling on their incumbent Republican opponents to debate them.
    — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2026
  • The war has also created a challenging political environment for incumbent Republicans, who could lose control of the House and Senate in the midterm elections that loom less than six weeks away.
    — Garrett Downs, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of incumbent
Adjective
  • To pull off this pant-less look, a high-quality leather piece is necessary to prevent it from reading cheap.
    — Irene Richardson, InStyle, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The researchers estimate that several more years of work will be necessary before the technology could become part of a prosthesis capable of sensing and responding naturally to its surroundings.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of necessary

Browse Nearby Words

compulsive
compulsory
compunction
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Compulsory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compulsory. Accessed 1 Oct. 2026.

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