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
Hybrid and flexible work environments that are built around intentional in-person experiences rather than compulsory presence can drive greater innovation and engagement.
—Solange Charas, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
India, in less than two years, subjected millions of citizens to compulsory sterilization.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
The compulsory removal of all Gazans — including thousands of terrorists — is not only contrary to international law, but it is also forbidden by Judaism.
—Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025
However, in the past year the city eliminated funding for needle exchanges and implemented compulsory treatment strategies, which research suggests often do not reduce drug use or criminal recidividism.
—Ben Cocchiaro, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compulsory
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Solange Charas, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
India, in less than two years, subjected millions of citizens to compulsory sterilization.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
The compulsory removal of all Gazans — including thousands of terrorists — is not only contrary to international law, but it is also forbidden by Judaism.
—Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025
However, in the past year the city eliminated funding for needle exchanges and implemented compulsory treatment strategies, which research suggests often do not reduce drug use or criminal recidividism.
—Ben Cocchiaro, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 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 16 Mar. 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
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