1
as in mandatory
forcing one's compliance or participation by or as if by law
in this state, school attendance is obligatory until the age of 16
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cliche
used or heard so often as to be dull
the obligatory cliff-hanger endings for season finales of TV shows
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of obligatory
Most of the story happens in the dark, although there is the obligatory daytime travelling shot of the filthy, crumbling streets of Detroit through a car window.
—
Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 30 Aug. 2025
The goals that belong to you tend to bring energy and curiosity, while the ones inherited from others often feel heavy or obligatory.
—Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
After ‘This Is the One’, the obligatory Premier League tune blares out as the players shake hands with opponents and officials.
—Andy Mitten, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
The article also made the obligatory comparisons to Trump.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obligatory
Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 30 Aug. 2025
The goals that belong to you tend to bring energy and curiosity, while the ones inherited from others often feel heavy or obligatory.
—Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
After ‘This Is the One’, the obligatory Premier League tune blares out as the players shake hands with opponents and officials.
—Andy Mitten, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
The article also made the obligatory comparisons to Trump.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obligatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligatory
Adjective
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On Tuesday, the judge in his state case threw out terrorism charges that carried the possibility of a mandatory life sentence without parole.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
20 Sep. 2025
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Nationally, the measles vaccine remains mandatory for now, though Texas and some other states permit exemptions based on personal and religious beliefs.—
Patti Newton,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The problem arises when implicit or explicit pressures make either covering or uncovering feel compulsory—so the aim is to restore agency, letting employees decide for themselves without penalty.—
Tia Katz,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
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The campaign faces a tight deadline, but veto referendums have been successful in Missouri as recently as 2017, when labor unions successfully organized to defeat a right-to-work law that would have banned compulsory union fees.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Several leaders described the pressure of being both highly visible and easily stereotyped.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
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At the time, Latinos were often cast in stereotyped roles with heavy accents and largely denied the opportunity to direct features.—
Maximilíano Durón,
ARTnews.com,
17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Shein fully complies with local regulations in France and pays all required taxes.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
18 Sep. 2025
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Fill in all the required information and then watch for your photo to be part of the online gallery.—
Christopher Kuhagen,
jsonline.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
If tired, float or tread water until out of the rip current.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Sep. 2025
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Or, the formula comes in a radiant finish, which both makeup artists love for dull or tired skin in need of a pick-me-up.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Yabusele and Clarkson should help New York's incumbent top six — Brunson, All-Star big man Karl-Anthony Towns, All-Defensive wings Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby, guard Josh Hart and center Mitchell Robinson — get a bit of a break, minutes-wise, in 2025-26.—
Alex Kirschenbaum,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Sep. 2025
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Bast flipped the Southwest Louisville district from blue to red in the 2024 general election, defeating incumbent Democratic Councilwoman Cindi Fowler.—
Killian Baarlaer,
Louisville Courier Journal,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The dilemmas of post-revolutionary life—in particular, the gap between fulsome propaganda and flawed realities—were efficiently captured, as usual, in the popular genre known as the anekdot.—
Benjamin Nathans
September 24,
Literary Hub,
24 Sep. 2025
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The popular reality show hit the air for Episode 2 Tuesday night, rounding out its full table of Season 34 judges as fan favorite Carrie Ann Inaba returned following illness, and treating audiences to its usual toe-tapping joyride.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The proclamation, which came into effect on Sunday, requires companies to pay the new six-figure fee to obtain the visas necessary for new employees entering the country.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
22 Sep. 2025
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There is no question that Green Bay has the talent necessary to win at a high level.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obligatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligatory. Accessed 27 Sep. 2025.
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