compulsory
adjective
com·pul·so·ry
kəm-ˈpəls-rē 
-ˈpəl-sə-
2
: coercive, compelling
compulsory measures
Examples of compulsory in a Sentence
To free the mind and the heart from compulsory religious confession and observance was good for all three interested parties: the state, the church and the people.
—
Jon Meacham, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2009
So he wants a private life and no photographs and nobody to know his home address. I can dig it, I can relate to that (but, like he should try it when it's compulsory instead of a free-choice option).
—Salman Rushdie, New York Times Book Review, 14 Jan. 1990
He began to resent the compulsory attendance at the boring factory meetings.
—James Reston, Jr., Time, 28 Nov. 1988
compulsory retirement at age 70
Jon Meacham, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2009
So he wants a private life and no photographs and nobody to know his home address. I can dig it, I can relate to that (but, like he should try it when it's compulsory instead of a free-choice option).
—Salman Rushdie, New York Times Book Review, 14 Jan. 1990
He began to resent the compulsory attendance at the boring factory meetings.
—James Reston, Jr., Time, 28 Nov. 1988
compulsory retirement at age 70
Recent Examples on the Web
Zverev had given his window for that day in the morning and so was put out by being told that the test was compulsory.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 14 May 2025
Love in the Spectrum isn’t exactly free-range dating — dates are set up by the show, followed up on (no fear of ghosting), and dissected by participants — but there is no compulsory finish line.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 May 2025
Australia is one of a few countries where voting is compulsory for all citizens ages 18 years and older.
—Astha Rajvanshi, NBC news, 3 May 2025
The report highlights countries like Brazil and Colombia for undermining patent rights through compulsory licensing misuse, unreasonable patentability standards and delays in granting or enforcing patents.
—Scott Suckow, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for compulsory
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.
Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 14 May 2025
Love in the Spectrum isn’t exactly free-range dating — dates are set up by the show, followed up on (no fear of ghosting), and dissected by participants — but there is no compulsory finish line.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 May 2025
Australia is one of a few countries where voting is compulsory for all citizens ages 18 years and older.
—Astha Rajvanshi, NBC news, 3 May 2025
The report highlights countries like Brazil and Colombia for undermining patent rights through compulsory licensing misuse, unreasonable patentability standards and delays in granting or enforcing patents.
—Scott Suckow, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for compulsory
Cite this Entry
“Compulsory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compulsory. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
compulsory
adjective
com·pul·so·ry
kəm-ˈpəls-(ə-)rē
1
: required by or as if by law
compulsory education
2
: having the power of forcing someone to do something
a compulsory law
Legal Definition
compulsory
adjective
com·pul·so·ry
kəm-ˈpəl-sə-rē
1
: required or compelled by law : mandatory, obligatory
compulsory arbitration
compulsory insurance
specifically
: required to be brought or asserted in a pleading because of having arisen from the transaction or occurrence that is the subject of litigation
a compulsory counterclaim
compulsory reconvention
compare elective, permissive
2
: using compulsion : compelling
compulsory measures
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share