COMPULSORY Synonyms: 35 Similar and Opposite Words

compulsory

adjective

kəm-ˈpəls-rē

Definition of compulsory

as in mandatory

forcing one's compliance or participation by or as if by law compulsory retirement at age 70

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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 compulsory French high school students' compulsory classroom hours are among the highest in Europe. — Nicolas Garriga, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026 French high school students’ compulsory classroom hours are among the highest in Europe. — ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026 Voting is compulsory for most adults in the world’s fifth largest country, and turnout is typically among the highest in the Americas. — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026 Prepare for the most crowded, compulsory stretch of the calendar. — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for compulsory

Recent Examples of Synonyms for compulsory

Adjective

In a country where enlistment is mandatory for most Jewish men and women, these exemptions have always angered the broader public.

— Josef Federman, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
Other campaign issues include mandatory military service, which is particularly sensitive for religious Jewish parties and Haredi communities.

— Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of mandatory

Adjective

The agency said any contractor who has not completed required screening will not be authorized to perform mail-handling duties until those requirements are met.

— Karen Morfitt, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
If the council follows staff’s recommendation during its Wednesday meeting, the project would retain its current approvals, subject to the required conditions.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of required

Adjective

The incumbent senator accused his critics of lying about the controversy before acknowledging that his office sent patients with unpaid bills to collections.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
With just two weeks to go until Election Night, sky-high utility bills have become a major issue in the Los Angeles mayor's race, with both incumbent Mayor Karen Bass and Nithya Raman promising action.

— Tom Wait, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of incumbent

Adjective

The current job climate is creating conditions where pushing past your limits may feel necessary for career survival.

— Melody Wilding, Contributor, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026
Successfully navigating those kinds of conflicts will be key if Sharma is to build up the authority and credibility necessary to get Xbox back on track.

— Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of necessary

Browse Nearby Words

compulsive

compulsory

compunction

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“Compulsory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compulsory. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of compulsory

adjective

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