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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Beds were considered unavailable if homeless people couldn’t comply with religious requirements, like mandatory praying or service attendance.
—
Idaho Statesman, 11 Sep. 2025
Sidik watched with horror as the number of people who attended her compound’s weekly mandatory flag-raising ceremony shrank, from 400 to just over 100, as residents were arrested.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
For prizes over $5,000, the IRS requires a mandatory 24% withholding.
—Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2025
Now that mandatory fee will nearly double on September 30 to $40.
—Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mandatory
Idaho Statesman, 11 Sep. 2025
Sidik watched with horror as the number of people who attended her compound’s weekly mandatory flag-raising ceremony shrank, from 400 to just over 100, as residents were arrested.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
For prizes over $5,000, the IRS requires a mandatory 24% withholding.
—Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2025
Now that mandatory fee will nearly double on September 30 to $40.
—Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mandatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mandatory
Adjective
-
The audience demographics at these two SoCal shows was certainly interesting… a mixture of aspirational and actual Englishness, united in a tempory new world order marked by seemingly compulsory bucket hats.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The plan comes a decade after the government suspended compulsory duty and includes the possibility of reintroducing conscription if recruitment targets are not met, according to Reuters.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Hurdles have included problems obtaining required permits from the city council, complaints from residents about noise and light pollution, reports of workers’ rights not being respected by local authorities, and suppliers going bankrupt.—
Pol Ballus,
New York Times,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Beyond reading the college’s brochures and website, Selingo encourages prospective students to ask current students how helpful the career offices are, what their advisors are like and how accessible required courses are.—
Kamaron McNair,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Harris also had to run with a disgruntled incumbent president, who had been all but forced out of the race, looking over her shoulder.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The Garden State has traditionally leaned Democrat, with incumbent Governor Phil Murphy on the verge of completing his second term.—
Nick Mordowanec,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Is Executive Order 14224 even necessary?—
Doug Melville,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
The partial closure order was coordinated with the Fresno County Sheriff's Office, along with multiple local, state, and federal agency cooperators, to identify the minimum area necessary for the safety of firefighting resources and forest visitors.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mandatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mandatory. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share