MANDATORY Synonyms: 35 Similar and Opposite Words

mandatory

adjective

ˈman-də-ˌtȯr-ē

Definition of mandatory

as in compulsory

forcing one's compliance or participation by or as if by law the tests are mandatory for all students wishing to graduate

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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 mandatory The Panhandle remains blanketed in storm watches and warning, with mandatory evacuations underway in four counties and a state of emergency declared in 25 counties. — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026 Beyond opposing the state takeover, CVPE advocates against mandatory STAAR testing and urges parents to boycott the exams. — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026 Okaloosa County announced mandatory evacuations for some coastal areas, and communities closed government offices as of Thursday afternoon. — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026 There are no mandatory upfront fees, although Earnest offers an optional origination fee of 1% to 8% in exchange for a lower interest rate. — Dan Avery,megan Dematteo, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mandatory

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mandatory

Adjective

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, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of compulsory

Adjective

The settlement includes a series of stipulations related to the number of theatrical films the combined company will release per year and the required budget for those films.

— Catriona Marangi, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026
Reaching that altitude, however, required GICON to rethink how such a turbine could be constructed.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of required

Adjective

In Will County’s District 2, incumbent Republicans Judy Ogalla, of Monee, and Frankie Pretzel, of New Lenox, seek another term against Democrat Bob Howard, of Beecher, in a rematch of the November 2022 County Board race.

— Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
Two Roseville City Council seats are up for grabs in November, with neither incumbent seeking reelection.

— Nicole Buss October 8, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of incumbent

Adjective

Expect Raman, whom City Hall opponents have long trashed as conflict-averse, to focus on a message of possibility and positivity while holding her ground and striking back — and hard — when necessary.

— Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Officials said no other evacuations were necessary and public safety employees and emergency responders remained on duty.

— Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of necessary

Browse Nearby Words

mandating

mandatory

mandible

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“Mandatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mandatory. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of mandatory

adjective

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