How to Use obligatory in a Sentence

obligatory

adjective
  • This action movie includes the obligatory chase scenes.
  • The training is obligatory for all personnel.
  • Book a cove boat tour and make an obligatory stop at shipwreck beach.
    — Lauren Mowery, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2023
  • The highlight of the film is the obligatory dance scene at the party.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Mind you, the obligatory buzz-saw drone of noise and rage the band churns out doesn’t sound ironic.
    — Tom Maxwell, Longreads, 10 Apr. 2020
  • Taylor used to think of the green salad as a dull, obligatory dish.
    — New York Times, 10 Nov. 2021
  • Clear out as many non-obligatory items from your calendar and just go with the flow.
    — The Astrotwins, ELLE, 13 Nov. 2022
  • If all of that sounds like a drag, obligatory and austere, don’t worry.
    — Christina Tkacik, baltimoresun.com, 4 Dec. 2019
  • As the birthplace of shio (salt) ramen, a bowl here is obligatory.
    — Christina Liao, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2025
  • The goal is to make learning feel valuable, not obligatory.
    — Saravana Sivanandham, Forbes.com, 12 Feb. 2026
  • Add a lift kit, oversized tires with meaty tread, and an obligatory bed-rack system with a rooftop tent.
    — Joe Lindsey, Outside Online, 3 Aug. 2022
  • Some of the women aimed their mobiles at me, but in a careless, obligatory way.
    — Wired Staff, WIRED, 27 June 2007
  • Serving notice is the obligatory first step in a two-stage lawsuit process.
    — Elaine Ganley, Star Tribune, 27 Jan. 2021
  • The two men shake hands, pose for the obligatory photo, and go their separate ways.
    — Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 4 June 2026
  • In a country where voting is obligatory, a record 58% stayed at home.
    — The Economist, 8 Mar. 2018
  • The domestic regime is stern, with obligatory straight A’s at school.
    — Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 17 Nov. 2021
  • This is where the obligatory mention of the devil being in the details comes in.
    — Washington Post, 28 Apr. 2018
  • Megan Fox wore the obligatory naked look at this year's VMAs.
    — Quinci Legardye, Harper's BAZAAR, 13 Sep. 2021
  • At midday join the throngs for an obligatory stop at Tunnel View.
    — Terry Wood, The Seattle Times, 5 July 2017
  • More on that in a moment, but first, the obligatory update of the Rockies’ tale of woe.
    — Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 1 June 2025
  • The dining area is outfitted with the obligatory garage door, which is opened when the weather’s nice.
    — Malcolm Mayhew, star-telegram.com, 3 May 2017
  • Oh yes, and there's also the obligatory slot for an optional vial of glow-in-the-dark tritium.
    — New Atlas, 19 June 2025
  • The success of such projects has made high-tech recreations an almost obligatory trend in Rome.
    — Julia Buckley, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Dec. 2017
  • Since respect for the monarchy was obligatory at that time, the image — and the song — rocked the nation.
    — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 9 Aug. 2023
  • Outside, face masks in Tulane's green and gold are the new obligatory fashion item.
    — Stephen Collinson and Shelby Rose With Caitlin Hu, CNN, 29 Aug. 2020
  • The beach has been racking up five-star Google reviews, along with the obligatory quibbles.
    — Erin Ailworth, WSJ, 16 Oct. 2023
  • Once the first of five obligatory prayers of the day, Fajr, begins at dawn, so does their fasting.
    — The Enquirer, 13 Mar. 2024
  • Here is what to know about Good Friday, and the obligatory fast for Catholics.
    — Mariyam Muhammad, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Apr. 2026
  • The cast of Sinners went beyond the obligatory press tour posting.
    — Olivia Shalhoup, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
  • Not just an obligatory gesture but something that felt genuine and heartfelt.
    — Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2026

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'obligatory.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Last Updated: