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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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 Brazil has one national election authority, compulsory voting and no mail-in ballots. — Solly Boussidan, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026 Ben-Gvir was considered so extreme that the Israeli military barred him from compulsory service. — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 22 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 See All Example Sentences for compulsory

Recent Examples of Synonyms for compulsory

Adjective

Consider having these conversations sooner rather than later, however, as most pet insurance policies will require the completion of a mandatory waiting period before your coverage kicks in.

— Matt Richardson, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
Regarding compliance, Digital Product Passports (DPPs) are set for a mandatory phase-in for apparel and footwear in late 2027.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of mandatory

Adjective

The FireCuda Forge is available right now through Seagate’s web store, and comes in 8TB ($699) or 20TB ($899) HDD configurations—neither of which includes the required SSD.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 10 Nov. 2026
If no candidate receives the required backing, or that final attempt fails, the Knesset is automatically dissolved and elections must take place within 90 days.

— Rebecca Schneid, Time, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of required

Adjective

Assemblymember Josh Hoover, R-Folsom — who defeated an incumbent Democrat in 2022 to win his seat — was one of the Republicans losing.

— Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 5 Nov. 2026
Mayor-elect Nithya Raman won’t represent a radical ideological break from her opponent, one-term incumbent Mayor Karen Bass.

— Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of incumbent

Adjective

Whether congressional authorization is necessary will continue to play out in court.

— David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 11 Nov. 2026
The request follows a judge's order to preserve evidence in a lawsuit filed by Pike's attorneys and reflects the secrecy surrounding execution drugs, which states often argue is necessary to protect access to the drugs and the safety of suppliers.

— CBS News, CBS News, 11 Nov. 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 12 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of compulsory

adjective

Example Sentences

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