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 While vessel inspections are not compulsory, member states can request a secondary inspection of a vessel in line with specified criteria. — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026 But compulsory citizen participation in self-governance has a long and distinguished history. — Susan Ostermann, Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2026 During those years, a generation of young men left the country to avoid compulsory military service in Israel's proxy Lebanese militia, known as the South Lebanon Army. — Jane Arraf, NPR, 26 July 2026 The film is a reminder that conformity is never compulsory, and that putting yourself out there is the only way to find out who’s ready to catch you. — Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for compulsory

Recent Examples of Synonyms for compulsory

Adjective

The fallout of this fraud included several new state-level fiscal accountability reforms for all New York school districts, including stricter internal controls, mandatory board oversight and independent auditor requirements.

— Kathryn Blackman, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026
Due to the business’s small, quaint space, reservations are mandatory.

— Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of mandatory

Adjective

Your school will apply the funds toward required costs like tuition and fees before sending any remaining amount to you.

— Rebecca Safier, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
The economics behind that shift are already influencing how some large companies deploy AI, with businesses becoming increasingly selective in matching individual tasks to models based on cost and required performance.

— Hugh Leask, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of required

Adjective

In Asia-Pacific, where DeepMind opened a new research lab in Singapore last November, domestic players including ByteDance, Sakana AI and Sarvam AI are building share in markets the incumbent labs historically underinvested in.

— Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
Short dramas are unlikely to push out incumbent entertainment formats, according to Sensor Tower’s Shah.

— Matthew Tan, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of incumbent

Adjective

Addressing workers at the company’s headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany, Volkswagen Group CEO Oliver Blume warned Tuesday that eliminating tens of thousands of jobs could be necessary to remain competitive.

— Maegan Vazquez, Washington Post, 28 Aug. 2026
The equipment in the classroom is also outdated and no longer reaches performance capabilities necessary for modern digital art, web design and 2D and 3D imaging, officials said.

— Cam'ron Hardy, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of compulsory

adjective

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