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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stereotyped
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
Here is what to know about Good Friday, and the obligatory fast for Catholics.
—
Mariyam Muhammad, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Apr. 2026
The norms concerning meat abstinence apply to members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onward, and the norms of fasting are obligatory for Catholic followers aged 18 through 59, according to the conference.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 26 Mar. 2026
The movie does attempt to gesture at class and race as thematic underpinnings (the maids trapped in The Virgil are mostly non-white, while the villains are rich Caucasians), but like the story and action at large, these go pretty much nowhere, and feel like obligatory symbols.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
Three decades later, Prince William and Kate Middleton returned to the same place to replicate the visit, making this red desert landscape a sort of obligatory stop in a country where the Windsors, despite protests, still reign.
—Diego Parrado, Vanity Fair, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obligatory
Mariyam Muhammad, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Apr. 2026
The norms concerning meat abstinence apply to members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onward, and the norms of fasting are obligatory for Catholic followers aged 18 through 59, according to the conference.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 26 Mar. 2026
The movie does attempt to gesture at class and race as thematic underpinnings (the maids trapped in The Virgil are mostly non-white, while the villains are rich Caucasians), but like the story and action at large, these go pretty much nowhere, and feel like obligatory symbols.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
Three decades later, Prince William and Kate Middleton returned to the same place to replicate the visit, making this red desert landscape a sort of obligatory stop in a country where the Windsors, despite protests, still reign.
—Diego Parrado, Vanity Fair, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obligatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligatory
Adjective
-
The Board also voted to increase mandatory fees at 13 of Georgia's 25 public colleges and universities.—
La'Tasha Givens,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Military conscription is mandatory in Cuba for men over the age of 18, who undergo two years of military training.—
Sarah Moreno,
Miami Herald,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Kelly Enders-Tharp, a three-time surrogate and education and experience specialist at Growing Generations, explains that surrogates are often stereotyped, or that their backgrounds are misrepresented.—
Kris Ann Valdez,
Parents,
13 Feb. 2026
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Later, Lenape artist Joe Baker places cutout photographs of his ancestors over the stereotyped images of Native Americans found in the wallpaper.—
Tom McDonough,
Artforum,
1 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Stripping the rights of states as the primary authority to regulate their education would also limit their oversight of teacher certification, curricula standards and compulsory education.—
Dina Ciotola,
Sun Sentinel,
14 Apr. 2026
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But the trial judge, not the jury, will rule on any compulsory changes for Meta at the trial’s second stage in May.—
Peter Weber,
TheWeek,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
If tired, float or tread water until out of the rip current.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Apr. 2026
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Music lovers tired of paying hundreds of dollars to see big-name acts may be getting some relief.—
Andy Sheehan,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Making the record even more impressive was the revelation in the post-competition weighing of Wilkins’ discus to verify the record that the implement was actually two ounces heavier than the required 4 pounds, 6 ounces weight, a fact that cost Wilkins additional inches, probably feet.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
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Despite being a required vaccine in all states to attend public school, rates have been steadily decreasing over the last decade, CDC data shows.—
Arthur Jones II,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Time, for instance, is a fundamental concept that is at once enigmatic and commonplace.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Apr. 2026
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As that new thing became commonplace, the Rays would seek another.—
Marc Topkin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Federal Reserve is preparing to transition to a new chair this year as incumbent Jerome Powell is set to step down as soon as May.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
17 Apr. 2026
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In his 2018 challenge of incumbent Republican Ted Cruz, O’Rourke brought in more than $80 million, more than double Cruz’s fundraising haul of $35 million.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Gunther's Ice Cream remained open as usual on Saturday following a fire that happened just outside the Sacramento staple.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
19 Apr. 2026
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Many of you might be more involved than usual with a parent.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obligatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligatory. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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