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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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 States may participate voluntarily, but the agency cannot make compliance mandatory while the temporary order remains in effect. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 31 Aug. 2026 He was told to stay away from the Broncos’ mandatory minicamp in June following his second arrest in a week's span. — ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026 For now, mandatory evacuation orders and warnings remain in effect for both fires. — Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026 The mandatory classes for teenagers include learning about the main types of armaments including machine guns, anti-tank weapons and hand grenades, as well as emergency field medicine and general military discipline. — Bloomberg, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mandatory

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mandatory

Adjective

In the Soviet Union, basic military training was compulsory in schools including gas mask drills, march practice, and rifle assembly.

— Bloomberg, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
Even though public schooling became compulsory in 1896, the language barrier and the remote location of many plantations led to gaps in access to these laborers’ formal education.

— H.M.A. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of compulsory

Adjective

He has been rumored as a possible hire at Giorgio Armani in the wake of the founder’s death one year ago, and mooted for such diverse brands as Kenzo and Calvin Klein, which currently have incumbent creative directors.

— Miles Socha, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2026
Many of the roles have been projected for several years to be among the fastest-growing, even preceding the generative AI boom and its incumbent electricity demands, for example.

— Sarah Jackson, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of incumbent

Adjective

Onslaught Is All Blood, No Guts Adam Wingard’s latest film is a too-slick wannabe grindhouse action-slasher lacking the engine necessary to power it.

— Britina Cheng, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
Rather than directly buying the land necessary, Kingsbarn will look to participate in an exchange.

— Joshua Hong, Fortune, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of necessary

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mandating

mandatory

mandible

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“Mandatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mandatory. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of mandatory

adjective

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