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 obligatory sanatoria are visited, the obligatory spa towns are frequented, the obligatory Freudian analyst is consulted.
—
Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2026
Because Anna and Matteo were never actually together, her clear attraction with Michael doesn’t face any meaningful obstacles, aside from some obligatory (and weakly justified) initial sniping between the two leads.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2026
This was largely because the White House has yet to provide any of the government guarantees — including commitments on visas, tax exemptions, safety and security — that are deemed obligatory for a World Cup bid to progress.
—Adam Crafton, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Others pop in for sundowners on the 56th-floor observation deck or snap an obligatory selfie from across the bay.
—Chris Schalkx, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obligatory
Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2026
Because Anna and Matteo were never actually together, her clear attraction with Michael doesn’t face any meaningful obstacles, aside from some obligatory (and weakly justified) initial sniping between the two leads.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2026
This was largely because the White House has yet to provide any of the government guarantees — including commitments on visas, tax exemptions, safety and security — that are deemed obligatory for a World Cup bid to progress.
—Adam Crafton, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Others pop in for sundowners on the 56th-floor observation deck or snap an obligatory selfie from across the bay.
—Chris Schalkx, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obligatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligatory
Adjective
-
Every match, in every stadium, will pause twice—midway through each half—for a mandatory three-minute hydration break, regardless of weather or temperature.—
Dilan Gomih,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
The Chiefs finished mandatory minicamp on Thursday with Josh Simmons at left tackle, and Jaylon Moore, Esa Pole and Kahlil Benson getting first-team snaps at right tackle.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
In some cases, praise took on overtly stereotyped forms: words like 'love' were used disproportionately with female students, while 'powerful' appeared only for Black students.—
Rachel del Guidice,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In contrast, Sanders’ American AI Sovereign Wealth Fund Act is compulsory, mandating a 50% equity transfer, with the government gaining voting shares, board representation, and revenues directed toward cash payments and public goods.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
9 June 2026
-
Loadholt responded that North Carolina’s age threshold for compulsory school attendance is 7 — an answer Cunningham pushed back on.—
Mary Ramsey
Updated June 4,
Charlotte Observer,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
My wife lowers her gaze as if tired, rubbing the side of her glass with her fingers.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
The first step is to avoid the tired trap of pitting a liberal arts education against a technical or practical one.—
Jamie Merisotis,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
Failure to respond within the required timeframe may result in disqualification and selection of an alternate winner, in Sponsor’s sole discretion.—
AJC.com,
AJC.com,
8 June 2026
-
The Appellate Court held the Trial Court did not adequately make all the required findings.—
Olivia Young,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
Adjective
-
Tuesday’s announcement marked the rare selection of an all-male crew, which has not been commonplace at NASA for years.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
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Seeing an American on the roster of a top European club is now commonplace, unlike at the turn of the century.—
Julian Cardillo,
Boston Herald,
9 June 2026
Adjective
-
His bid for the party’s support challenging incumbent Attorney General Keith Ellison, a Democrat, was uncontested.—
Jay Gabler,
Twin Cities,
30 May 2026
-
The prospect of Burnham, considered more left-leaning than Starmer, replacing the incumbent prime minister has sent jitters through bond markets in recent weeks.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
Laurie Metcalf, confirming her standing as the First Lady of the American Theater, won for her portrayal of Linda Loman, a more formidable than usual interpretation of Willy’s stalwart wife.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
-
Above the factory floor, the big bosses determined our production goals for the day, as usual.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obligatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligatory. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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