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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of obligatory
The highlight of the film is the obligatory dance scene at the party.
—
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2025
There is no mistaking that the Democrats are on thin ice with their knee-jerk and obligatory nods to local prerogative.
—Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for obligatory
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2025
There is no mistaking that the Democrats are on thin ice with their knee-jerk and obligatory nods to local prerogative.
—Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for obligatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligatory
Adjective
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Shouts for it will be met by angry fingers jutted towards the various gaffes played ad nauseam on Sky Sports’ weekly Ref Watch, or the mandatory pause before the emotional unleashing as VAR mulls over whether a goal is a goal or just a hoax.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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Many are pulling six-day work weeks with mandatory overtime, and increasing numbers have begun calling out as the financial strain and exhaustion mount.—
JOSH FUNK,
Arkansas Online,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Several leaders described the pressure of being both highly visible and easily stereotyped.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
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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
-
Rustin’s next-door neighbor thought they should be sent directly from school to compulsory work gangs.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Obomsawin’s score accompanies Julian Brave NoiseCat’s and Emily Kassie’s documentary investigating the history of abuse at Indian residential schools in Canada, a system that became compulsory in 1894.—
Andrew Gilbert,
Mercury News,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The first turned a fourth-quarter fumble into a 59-yard score when Achane burst through a tired, and seemingly defeated Buffalo defensive front and outsprinted the Bills’ entire secondary to the end zone.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
9 Nov. 2025
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But that feels like a tired, outdated characterisation.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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This summer, Wyoming’s Game and Fish Commission passed regulations that designated some sections fly-only and required anglers to pinch their barbs.—
Christine Peterson,
Outdoor Life,
30 Oct. 2025
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The Chamber argues that the fee was imposed without congressional approval or required rulemaking, in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Exorbitant displays of wealth like those on Cribs are now commonplace.—
Kim Hew-Low,
The Atlantic,
10 Nov. 2025
-
In the late ‘90s and early ‘00s, home computers became commonplace, and the ways in which early users of the World Wide Web were substantially different from those of today.—
William Jones,
IndyStar,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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In the short run, this would see sellers and incumbent owners capturing much of the benefit while first‑time buyers face higher entry prices.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
9 Nov. 2025
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The convincing Democratic wins reinforced the core truth that attitudes about the incumbent president are now the driving force in off-year elections.—
Ronald Brownstein,
Mercury News,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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His usual producer, Nick Schwarz, took the first crack at it and cut a version that hit hard.—
Tom Roland,
Billboard,
5 Nov. 2025
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Across all household sizes, the SNAP reduction is roughly 49 percent—meaning households claiming the top amount will get about half of their usual monthly benefit in November.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obligatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligatory. Accessed 20 Nov. 2025.
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