COMPULSORY Synonyms: 35 Similar and Opposite Words

compulsory

adjective

kəm-ˈpəls-rē

Definition of compulsory

as in mandatory

forcing one's compliance or participation by or as if by law compulsory retirement at age 70

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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 French high school students' compulsory classroom hours are among the highest in Europe. — Nicolas Garriga, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026 French high school students’ compulsory classroom hours are among the highest in Europe. — ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026 Voting is compulsory for most adults in the world’s fifth largest country, and turnout is typically among the highest in the Americas. — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026 Prepare for the most crowded, compulsory stretch of the calendar. — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for compulsory

Recent Examples of Synonyms for compulsory

Adjective

In a country where enlistment is mandatory for most Jewish men and women, these exemptions have always angered the broader public.

— Josef Federman, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
Other campaign issues include mandatory military service, which is particularly sensitive for religious Jewish parties and Haredi communities.

— Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of mandatory

Adjective

However, Brookfield disputed the claim and said no compensation is currently owed to BHV, and that any compensation was conditional on the premises being returned in the required condition.

— Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2026
No specific guidelines were given – just the required proportions.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of required

Adjective

The incumbent senator accused his critics of lying about the controversy before acknowledging that his office sent patients with unpaid bills to collections.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
With just two weeks to go until Election Night, sky-high utility bills have become a major issue in the Los Angeles mayor's race, with both incumbent Mayor Karen Bass and Nithya Raman promising action.

— Tom Wait, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of incumbent

Adjective

The father and son are accused of recycling patients through their facilities to continue billing insurance companies, regardless of whether treatment was medically necessary or actually provided.

— Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
That means no seasoning necessary, rust resistance, and easy cleanup.

— Editors of Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of necessary

Browse Nearby Words

compulsive

compulsory

compunction

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“Compulsory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compulsory. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of compulsory

adjective

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