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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Add a cool summer slide and obligatory pair of black sunglasses for a chic finishing touch. — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 23 July 2026 The mahr — the obligatory dowry the groom must pay under Islamic law — comes on top of that, as does the apartment, furniture, and expectation of ongoing household support. — Wael Mahdi, semafor.com, 21 July 2026 Jason Derulo is a hitmaker, Ty Dolla $ign is the obligatory feature on every song, and Top 40 radio is engineered for bottle service. — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 21 July 2026 Bags big and small should also be an obligatory purchase, since there’s a wide selection of crossbody purses, shoulder bags, and more, on sale. — Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 13 July 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
  • The fallout of this fraud included several new state-level fiscal accountability reforms for all New York school districts, including stricter internal controls, mandatory board oversight and independent auditor requirements.
    — Kathryn Blackman, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Due to the business’s small, quaint space, reservations are mandatory.
    — Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 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
  • In the Soviet Union, basic military training was compulsory in schools including gas mask drills, march practice, and rifle assembly.
    — Bloomberg, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Even though public schooling became compulsory in 1896, the language barrier and the remote location of many plantations led to gaps in access to these laborers’ formal education.
    — H.M.A. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of compulsory
Adjective
  • That was especially common among Group of 6 fans, who are tired of watching their best players and coaches getting poached by wealthier programs.
    — Manny Navarro, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • As the fascination with Ernetti grows into something unhealthy, Béatrice subtly grows more tired, more distracted, more irritable and desperate for answers, small changes Sellier conveys with a smart sense of restraint.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of tired
Adjective
  • Hot hold foods did not reach required temperature; food was reheated.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Sep. 2026
  • But at the school linked to the first cases, only 17% of students had proof of required immunizations.
    — Eric Boodman, STAT, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of required
Adjective
  • The trio of hurricanes represents a level of elevated activity consistent with El Niño, a natural climate pattern characterized by warmer-than-usual sea surface temperatures in parts of the Pacific Ocean.
    — Denise Chow, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Osaka, who was asked about the situation after her second-round win on Thursday, was her usual thoughtful self in response.
    — Corey Seymour, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of usual
Adjective
  • He has been rumored as a possible hire at Giorgio Armani in the wake of the founder’s death one year ago, and mooted for such diverse brands as Kenzo and Calvin Klein, which currently have incumbent creative directors.
    — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Many of the roles have been projected for several years to be among the fastest-growing, even preceding the generative AI boom and its incumbent electricity demands, for example.
    — Sarah Jackson, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of incumbent
Adjective
  • The vehicle will have regenerative braking that is commonplace on most fully electric cars.
    — Keith Laing, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Plante was the first goalie to wear a mask regularly and was one of the first to play the puck outside the crease in a practice that is now commonplace.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 Sep. 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 5 Sep. 2026.

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