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
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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
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
Like all Muslims, Twelvers are required to give zakat, a key Islamic philanthropic tradition and an obligatory act of giving.
—Massumeh H. Toosi, The Conversation, 18 Aug. 2025
The article also made the obligatory comparisons to Trump.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 15 Aug. 2025
The first depth chart is obligatory and doesn’t necessarily mean this is the way the Dolphins will line up in the Sept. 7 regular-season opener at Indianapolis.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obligatory
Andy Mitten, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
Like all Muslims, Twelvers are required to give zakat, a key Islamic philanthropic tradition and an obligatory act of giving.
—Massumeh H. Toosi, The Conversation, 18 Aug. 2025
The article also made the obligatory comparisons to Trump.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 15 Aug. 2025
The first depth chart is obligatory and doesn’t necessarily mean this is the way the Dolphins will line up in the Sept. 7 regular-season opener at Indianapolis.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obligatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligatory
Adjective
-
Most Americans support common-sense measures like background checks, mandatory training, licensing, restrictions on magazine size, and safe-storage rules.—
John J. Donohue,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Florida’s state legislature needs to get involved to make other mandatory school vaccines optional,including those that protect against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, measles, mumps and rubella.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The new subject remains non-compulsory, but Screen Scotland hopes the appetite shown in pilots will drive wide adoption.—
Callum McLennan,
Variety,
10 Sep. 2025
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The 90-day window for lodging a challenge is tight, 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.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Several leaders described the pressure of being both highly visible and easily stereotyped.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
-
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
-
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
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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
-
Reed got her first gig at Cataloochee at the age of 19 in 1996 and has never tired of the work.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Manning’s inefficiency was on full display, and the Longhorns faithful grew tired of it during the first half.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
14 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
-
For instance, if a wildfire—even if far away—coincides with weather systems blowing pollution into your region, AirNow’s email will recommend staying indoors more than usual.—
Matt Fuchs,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
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As such, there’s always been a thrill of danger to every fight, but the difference this time around is that the stakes are far higher than usual.—
David Opie,
IndieWire,
10 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
“Obligatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligatory. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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