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 stereotyped
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
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 obligatory
The film is faithful to the franchise’s customary angst, with riotous needle drops (and an obligatory new Nick Cave track) courtesy of Antony Genn and Martin Slattery.
—
Miriam Balanescu, IndieWire, 5 Mar. 2026
Though this part of the island is only accessible via a handful of hiking trails, its bare beaches are an obligatory stop before heading to the marine park.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 3 Mar. 2026
What began as an innovative way to benefit consumers is increasingly an obligatory burden for shoppers and sellers alike.
—James Doubek, NPR, 26 Feb. 2026
Be prepared for a meal of epic proportions, as the set menu is obligatory; the starter, a défilé des saladiers (salads course), arrives at your table with dishes like green lentils, herrings and new potatoes, a crispy green salad, and pumpkin soup.
—John Brunton, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obligatory
Miriam Balanescu, IndieWire, 5 Mar. 2026
Though this part of the island is only accessible via a handful of hiking trails, its bare beaches are an obligatory stop before heading to the marine park.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 3 Mar. 2026
What began as an innovative way to benefit consumers is increasingly an obligatory burden for shoppers and sellers alike.
—James Doubek, NPR, 26 Feb. 2026
Be prepared for a meal of epic proportions, as the set menu is obligatory; the starter, a défilé des saladiers (salads course), arrives at your table with dishes like green lentils, herrings and new potatoes, a crispy green salad, and pumpkin soup.
—John Brunton, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obligatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligatory
Adjective
-
Before going on hiatus in 2022 so that the group’s seven members could complete their mandatory military service, BTS was unequivocally the biggest band in the world.—
Mitch Therieau,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are mandatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics.—
Laura Daniella Sepulveda,
AZCentral.com,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Fittingly, the summit’s resemblance to summer camp fostered a mood of compulsory cheer.—
Gaby Del Valle,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
They have been seen directing snaking security lines and passing out water bottles to tired travelers.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Step in when someone’s tired or needs a break.—
Chris John Amorosino,
Hartford Courant,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The school's practices allowed people to get massage therapy licenses without finishing the required training, according to TDLR.—
S.E. Jenkins,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The Nassau County executive, who has no serious opposition in the GOP primary for governor, was denied funding by the state Campaign Finance Board by a 4-3 party line vote because his running mate failed to file required paperwork.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Brenner pointed out that across all three enterprises, there is a need to fulfill customer desires for optionality above all else, even as same-day delivery becomes more commonplace among delivery providers.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Moore’s demo may seem far-fetched, but the future of these privacy intrusions may become commonplace.—
Justyn Newman,
PC Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The incumbent clerk with strong ties to the local Democratic Party faces two challengers who criticize insider politics.—
Jordan Smith,
IndyStar,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Voter turnout questions for the GOP in November Finally, there are signs of a potential turnout deficit for the GOP in November, which is what frequently happens to the party of the incumbent president in a midterm.—
Craig Gilbert,
jsonline.com,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The tank was placed on the ice March 10 and fell through by March 25, weeks earlier than usual.—
Spencer Wilson,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The injury riddled Kings — playing their second game in 24 hours and their third in four nights — were even more shorthanded than usual.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obligatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligatory. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
