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
Most of the story happens in the dark, although there is the obligatory daytime travelling shot of the filthy, crumbling streets of Detroit through a car window.
—
Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 30 Aug. 2025
The goals that belong to you tend to bring energy and curiosity, while the ones inherited from others often feel heavy or obligatory.
—Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
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
The article also made the obligatory comparisons to Trump.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obligatory
Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 30 Aug. 2025
The goals that belong to you tend to bring energy and curiosity, while the ones inherited from others often feel heavy or obligatory.
—Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
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
The article also made the obligatory comparisons to Trump.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obligatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligatory
Adjective
-
Congress failed to pass a budget or temporary funding measure before the federal fiscal year ended on October 1, forcing many federal agencies to cease all non-mandatory operations.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Having initially faced 20 years in jail, the additional indictments raised his possible jail term to 45 years, with a mandatory minimum of five years in federal prison.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The problem arises when implicit or explicit pressures make either covering or uncovering feel compulsory—so the aim is to restore agency, letting employees decide for themselves without penalty.—
Tia Katz,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
-
The campaign faces a tight deadline, 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.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
16 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
-
State control of the industry under successive socialist governments has sidelined the foreign investment and know-how required to mine the metal, highly prized in the energy transition and in particular for the manufacture of EV batteries.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Taylor was charged with vehicular homicide while under the influence of drugs/substance, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and failure of owner to maintain required insurance/security.—
Caroline Neal,
Louisville Courier Journal,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
There isn’t an obvious replacement, but fans are tired and want something else.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Her recipe is simple, elegant, and designed to keep the party going without anyone leaving jittery or tired.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Elsewhere, crowded Democratic primaries, including in Michigan, are likely to hemorrhage critical resources the party will need for general elections to protect incumbent seats or oust Republicans.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Also running to unseat Collins is the state’s incumbent governor, Janet Mills, who is term limited.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Her video featured her usual format of showing herself making an iced coffee before pausing to speak to the camera.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
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The postal service is primarily self-funded and doesn't depend on the appropriations process to continue running as usual.—
The NPR Network,
NPR,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Almost six months into the ban, however, and questions are being asked whether the ongoing restrictions are excessive, and no longer necessary.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
26 Oct. 2025
-
That won’t be the case this season; the Lakers are all-in on Luka heliocentricism, with James’ early absence due to sciatica making that commitment even more necessary.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obligatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligatory. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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