obligatory

adjective

ə-ˈbli-gə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce obligatory (audio)
Definition of obligatorynext
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

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
  1. mandatory
  2. stereotyped
  3. compulsory
  4. tired
  5. required
  6. usual
  7. incumbent
  8. commonplace
Adjective
  • The White House has formally sent Congress proposed legislation that would impose mandatory minimum sentences on those convicted of fraud involving federal benefit programs, according to a copy of it seen by Semafor.
    — Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Face masks were distributed to local kindergartens, and mandatory mask mandates were slapped on workers at the nearby Irkutsk Aluminum Plant.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 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
  • 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, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of compulsory
Adjective
  • Billed as an immersive matchmaking experience and a new take on the dating show, the format features singletons who are tired of swiping and first dates and are ready to get hitched.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Valadao, meanwhile, cast himself as an experienced policymaker who delivers for the region and dismissed the criticism as the political bickering voters are tired of.
    — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of tired
Adjective
  • The settlement includes a series of stipulations related to the number of theatrical films the combined company will release per year and the required budget for those films.
    — Catriona Marangi, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Reaching that altitude, however, required GICON to rethink how such a turbine could be constructed.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of required
Adjective
  • The products were Park Hyatt’s usual—delicious-smelling La Labo toiletries.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • There’s deals on makeup, too, like the Ilia Limitless Mascara at 20% off for just $23 compared to its usual $30.
    — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of usual
Adjective
  • In Will County’s District 2, incumbent Republicans Judy Ogalla, of Monee, and Frankie Pretzel, of New Lenox, seek another term against Democrat Bob Howard, of Beecher, in a rematch of the November 2022 County Board race.
    — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Two Roseville City Council seats are up for grabs in November, with neither incumbent seeking reelection.
    — Nicole Buss October 8, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of incumbent
Adjective
  • In June, students spoke up at a district board meeting, claiming that racial slurs had become more commonplace on campus, the Independent reported.
    — Terry Castleman Follow, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The images on Lotería cards have typically featured commonplace objects and characters and have drawn on artistic influences including tarot cards, local cultures, and religion.
    — Sanat Pai Raikar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of commonplace

Browse Nearby Words

obligations
obligatory
oblige
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Cite this Entry

“Obligatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligatory. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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