mandatory

adjective

ˈman-də-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce mandatory (audio)
Definition of mandatorynext
as in compulsory
forcing one's compliance or participation by or as if by law the tests are mandatory for all students wishing to graduate

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 mandatory Average borrowing costs were 25% in 2024, with a minimum fee of 12%, mostly because of mandatory account balance and deposit requirements. P2P, or peer-to-peer, loans: The most affordable option in terms of aggregate borrowing costs, but average costs may reach 17% due to tips and late fees. — Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025 The base rate for mandatory freshman dorm housing at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has grown to nearly $15,000 a year. — Micky Horstman, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025 The court also ruled that once the EPA made an endangerment finding, the agency would have a mandatory duty under the Clean Air Act to regulate all sources that contribute to the danger. — Patrick Parenteau, The Conversation, 19 Mar. 2025 The federal government was also imposing mandatory minimums during the same period, particularly around drug offenses, gun crimes and child exploitation. — Emilia Otte, Hartford Courant, 18 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mandatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mandatory
  1. compulsory
  2. required
  3. incumbent
  4. necessary
Adjective
  • As previously reported, the new Main Stand, which eventually opened in 2016, involved compulsory purchase orders, approved by Liverpool City Council, which forced local residents to give up their homes.
    — Tom Burrows, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025
  • The district representatives grow increasingly dubious about everyone’s strange attitudes, eventually shaking Ava as their compulsory chaperone while the staff runs out of places to stash the larger items.
    — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of compulsory
Adjective
  • The Fix: Ensure your job descriptions are clear and concise, outlining required skills, responsibilities and expectations.
    — Rebecca Skilbeck, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Management did instruct Hughley to document the use of Benadryl but did not get the required parental signature on the form.
    — Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of required
Adjective
  • Diving deeper into incumbent talk, one of the other highlights of the most recent Emmys was the success of FX overall.
    — Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 21 Mar. 2025
  • There's still a place for the Pentagon's incumbent contractors, according to Hammett.
    — Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of incumbent
Adjective
  • The president's order will direct McMahon to take all necessary steps permitted by law to dissolve department, according to the sources familiar.
    — Arthur Jones II, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Going home just before the season turns was necessary, especially since the pop star had a busy end to last season.
    — India Espy-Jones, Essence, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of necessary

Browse Nearby Words

mandating
mandatory
mandible
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Cite this Entry

“Mandatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mandatory. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.

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