obligatory

adjective

ə-ˈbli-gə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce obligatory (audio)
Definition of obligatorynext
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

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 After annual shows at the Edinburgh Fringe — the obligatory stop (and often launchpad) for any hopeful comedian — Mohammed took the leap. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2026 One of the largest donors to a pop-up super PAC supporting Muslim or pro-Palestinian candidates is the president of an Islamic organization that collects obligatory religious donations mandated by Sharia law. — Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026 To return, board the hop-on, hop-off boat with your CityCard for a 90-minute city tour (hopping off not obligatory). — Adrienne Wyper, TheWeek, 17 Sep. 2026 Those were the obligatory calls, to his brothers in the Oakland Fire Department, to his father, Bob, retired after thirty-five years, and his uncle, Tom, who’d put in twenty-six. — Peter Wilkinson, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for obligatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligatory
  1. mandatory
  2. stereotyped
  3. compulsory
  4. tired
  5. required
  6. usual
  7. incumbent
  8. commonplace
Adjective
  • Consider having these conversations sooner rather than later, however, as most pet insurance policies will require the completion of a mandatory waiting period before your coverage kicks in.
    — Matt Richardson, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Regarding compliance, Digital Product Passports (DPPs) are set for a mandatory phase-in for apparel and footwear in late 2027.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of mandatory
Adjective
  • Despite their outer appearances and oftentimes stereotyped personalities, the ladies embrace each other’s depths and contradictions.
    — Meagan Jordan, VIBE.com, 10 July 2026
  • This is a directed, stereotyped behavior in which the highest-resolution region of the somatosensory surface is brought to bear on the object requiring the most detailed analysis.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Definition of stereotyped
Adjective
  • Neither campaign has the authority to dictate how Canadian schools mark Remembrance Day, and there is no indication that the new handbook has been adopted as a compulsory teaching resource.
    — Rich Percival, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2026
  • But that would likely be even more difficult, given that the ultra-Orthodox parties oppose compulsory military service for yeshiva students.
    — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of compulsory
Adjective
  • People are sick and tired of attack ads, robocalls and misinformation.
    — Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Doncic had 32 points and 10 assists in a 124-114 win over the Atlanta Hawks as the Lakers relied on their depth to secure their sixth consecutive win and stay atop the Western Conference despite a short, tired bench.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of tired
Adjective
  • The FireCuda Forge is available right now through Seagate’s web store, and comes in 8TB ($699) or 20TB ($899) HDD configurations—neither of which includes the required SSD.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 10 Nov. 2026
  • If no candidate receives the required backing, or that final attempt fails, the Knesset is automatically dissolved and elections must take place within 90 days.
    — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of required
Adjective
  • Rumors about the lineup had been flying around for weeks, as per usual in the fall, with multiple reports naming the eventual headliners while the festival stayed mum on the official report.
    — Vanessa Franko, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Hood is a spiritual advisor to inmates all over the country, but has been busier than usual in Florida — a state that has put a record-breaking 38 people to death since 2025, with more scheduled this year, under the guidance of DeSantis.
    — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of usual
Adjective
  • His slim victory over incumbent Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith challenges the assumption that Mississippi’s statewide political outcomes are predetermined.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Nov. 2026
  • The seats held by incumbent Commissioners Chris Jacks, Rich Janor and John Risvold are open in the election.
    — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of incumbent
Adjective
  • National mechanisms for transferring money built around bills of exchange (akin to paper checks) became commonplace.
    — Terry Hartle, Christian Science Monitor, 9 Nov. 2026
  • Poor sightlines are much more commonplace as owners relocate the media to accommodate new VIP clubs and pricier seats.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 9 Nov. 2026
Definition of commonplace

Browse Nearby Words

obligations
obligatory
oblige
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Cite this Entry

“Obligatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligatory. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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