OBLIGATORY Synonyms: 150 Similar and Opposite Words

obligatory

adjective

ə-ˈbli-gə-ˌtȯr-ē

Definition of obligatory

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

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 In that light, so what if the flirtation between Ian and Sally feels reverse-engineered from a checklist of obligatory Practical Magic plot elements? — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026 But her subsequent campaigning has not been notable and has been largely limited to obligatory Democratic events and Pritzker bill signings. — Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 7 Sep. 2026 The obligatory weekly hour-long class was introduced in September 2022 to promote the Kremlin’s views on patriotism and Russian history including the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. — Bloomberg, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026 While several countries have tried opt-out systems, France is hoping more muscular obligatory opt-in rules will be more effective. — ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for obligatory

Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligatory

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

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

Ben-Gvir was considered so extreme that the Israeli military barred him from compulsory service.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Ultra-Orthodox political leaders have demanded a law to formalize the group's broad exemption from the draft, but one that would also determine a percentage of ultra-Orthodox men and women who would be subject to compulsory service.

— Dov Lieber, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of compulsory

Adjective

Even more popular when, instead of a tired old video tribute — hats off to the Jackets for reading the room on this one — the arena cameras went straight to Marchenko during the next stoppage.

— Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Murray says her own experience has made her more understanding when female colleagues seem more tired or irritable than usual, particularly when the behavior is out of character.

— Jo Ann Liguori, Flow Space, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of tired

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

Murray says her own experience has made her more understanding when female colleagues seem more tired or irritable than usual, particularly when the behavior is out of character.

— Jo Ann Liguori, Flow Space, 21 Oct. 2026
Its warped vocal harmonies are ripe and sour, including guest appearances from the band’s friends, and off-kilter squiggles on steel guitar deviate from their usual pattern.

— Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of usual

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

Strikes in France, particularly student strikes, are commonplace and go on all the time.

— Caroline Mimbs Nyce, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026
Murmurs of surprises and spoilers—commonplace for blockbusters but hardly typical for documentaries—spread like wildfire in the lead-up to the release.

— Andrew McGowan, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of commonplace

Browse Nearby Words

obligations

obligatory

oblige

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Cite this Entry

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“Obligatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligatory. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of obligatory

adjective

Example Sentences

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