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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of obligatory
With all these moving pieces, there’s barely time for the obligatory romance between Lois and her reporter colleague Clark Kent, Superman’s alter ego.
—
Mark Meszoros, Boston Herald, 10 July 2025
Bags big and small should also be an obligatory purchase, since there’s a wide selection of crossbody purses, hobo bags, and big carryalls on sale.
—Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 8 July 2025
Their ray of hope comes with convincing a reluctant former bobsled medalist (a luminous John Candy, in what would be one of his last onscreen performances) to train them, and obligatory hijinks, setbacks, and triumphs ensue.
—Sophie Van Bastelaer, EW.com, 7 July 2025
In Norway, conscription is obligatory yet very selective, applying to men and women.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for obligatory
Mark Meszoros, Boston Herald, 10 July 2025
Bags big and small should also be an obligatory purchase, since there’s a wide selection of crossbody purses, hobo bags, and big carryalls on sale.
—Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 8 July 2025
Their ray of hope comes with convincing a reluctant former bobsled medalist (a luminous John Candy, in what would be one of his last onscreen performances) to train them, and obligatory hijinks, setbacks, and triumphs ensue.
—Sophie Van Bastelaer, EW.com, 7 July 2025
In Norway, conscription is obligatory yet very selective, applying to men and women.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for obligatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligatory
Adjective
-
So why haven’t more cities made curbside composting easier, or even mandatory? Curbside Composting Is Growing, But Access Lags California and Vermont are the only two states that currently mandate some form of household curbside composting access; Washington state’s law becomes effective in 2030.—
Heather Wishart-Smith,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
-
Pakistan now faces a mandatory review — a final phase requiring endorsement from key FATF members.—
Jack Rosen,
New York Daily News,
21 July 2025
Adjective
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Rather, films that portray women without the compulsory veil disrupt the symbolic, legal-religious order.—
Ali Farahmand,
IndieWire,
8 July 2025
-
To bolster security and safety, standards and regulations emerged to force accountability, including compulsory NERC CIP for the North American energy grid and GDPR for EU data privacy.—
Thomas Ryd,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
Several leaders described the pressure of being both highly visible and easily stereotyped.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
-
Their negative stereotyped reputation seems to follow them like ageism follows older employees or sexism follows female employees.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The 31-year-old is a true holding midfielder, offering assurance in playing out from the back and moving the ball through the thirds at the required tempo.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
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But he still has not been confirmed by the Senate, a required step to take on the role permanently (typically, U.S. attorneys serve through a president's time in office).—
Lucas Aulbach,
The Courier-Journal,
7 July 2025
Adjective
-
Already, 47% of clinicians report that being tired has impacted their abilities to treat patients.—
Victoria Feng,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
-
His legs are going to be a little tired, as to be expected.—
Roderick Boone
Updated July 11,
Charlotte Observer,
12 July 2025
Adjective
-
Councilwoman Amelia Stinson-Wesley is risking her seat to take on incumbent Mayor David Phillips for his position.—
Nicholas Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
19 July 2025
-
Mamdani has many specific attributes and won in a very unusual kind of primary where an incumbent mayor had left the party and the front-runner was dragging heavy baggage.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
18 July 2025
Adjective
-
As usual, Trump did most of the talking, but Rutte was clearly on board and confirmed key details.—
Daniel Fried,
Time,
15 July 2025
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For deeper repair, apply generously as an overnight scalp and hair mask, then wash and style as usual the next day.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
15 July 2025
Adjective
-
The data needs to be accessible and running in sync across necessary components within the system, not operating in a silo.—
Lori Schafer,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
-
Successful entrepreneurs focus on their core strengths and stay centered, adjusting only when necessary (or when metaphorically getting kicked in the ribs).—
JJ Rosen,
The Tennessean,
15 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obligatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligatory. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.
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