Synonyms of compulsory

compulsory

adjective

kəm-ˈpəls-rē 

as in mandatory

forcing one's compliance or participation by or as if by law

compulsory retirement at age 70

Synonyms & Similar Words

• mandatory
• required
• incumbent
• necessary
• obligatory
• urgent
• needed
• imperative
• involuntary
• forced
• requisite
• essential
• nonelective
• peremptory
• indispensable
• enforced
• all-important
• insistent
• demanded
• persistent
• pressing
• coercive

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• voluntary
• optional
• elective
• discretionary
• unnecessary
• unwanted
• chosen
• unimportant
• insignificant
• unneeded
• dispensable
• inconsequential
• nonessential

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of compulsory

Ben-Gvir was considered so extreme that the Israeli military barred him from compulsory service. — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 22 Oct. 2026

Ultra-Orthodox political leaders have demanded a law to formalize the group's broad exemption from the draft, but one that would also determine a percentage of ultra-Orthodox men and women who would be subject to compulsory service. — Dov Lieber, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026

Although the regime has retreated from enforcing compulsory veiling, the opposition movement has continued to radicalize. — Mansoor Moaddel, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026

Reczek and Bosley-Smith read the return partly as evidence of compulsory kinship’s durability, and the evidence supports them. — Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2026