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 cliche
used or heard so often as to be dull
the obligatory cliff-hanger endings for season finales of TV shows
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Recent Examples of obligatory
For instance, an earlier bequest might feel obligatory even if circumstances change.
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Matthew F. Erskine, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024
The overflow crowd of party faithful celebrated the historic event with music and dancing, signs and drum lines — and, of course, the obligatory balloon drop.
—Paul Volpe, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2024
Even in their lifetime, the brothers were subjected to the obligatory punning.
—Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024
Case in point: the jokes that Tomlinson reads to tee up each segment, which tend to feel obligatory.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for obligatory 
Matthew F. Erskine, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024
The overflow crowd of party faithful celebrated the historic event with music and dancing, signs and drum lines — and, of course, the obligatory balloon drop.
—Paul Volpe, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2024
Even in their lifetime, the brothers were subjected to the obligatory punning.
—Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024
Case in point: the jokes that Tomlinson reads to tee up each segment, which tend to feel obligatory.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for obligatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligatory
Adjective
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The four-day firestorm has resulted in 10 deaths so far, with more than 9,000 structures damaged or destroyed and more than 150,000 people still under mandatory evacuation orders, as of Friday afternoon.Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025
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By Chad de Guzman January 10, 2025 1:00 AM EST Nearly 180,000 people have already been sent mandatory evacuation orders amid the destructive wildfires raging across Los Angeles, causing traffic jams as people attempt to flee.Chad de Guzman, TIME, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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With the area now under a compulsory evacuation order, even those whose homes survived the inferno need to go elsewhere for the foreseeable future.CBS News, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2025
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Less than half of workers age 62-64 wanted to retire, and almost 90% believed that there should be no compulsory retirement at 65.James Chappel / Made by History, TIME, 3 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Founded by artists who grew up in Maryvale, Salcido said the purpose of Labor is to be the bridge that shows the artistic capacity and potential of Maryvale because the neighborhood is too often stereotyped, underrepresented and ignored.David Ulloa Jr, The Arizona Republic, 6 Dec. 2024
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Chicano artists also critically reexamined stereotyped figures, such as the pachuco and pachuca, and retold current and historic events through artworks that questioned hegemonic narratives.Mary Thomas, ARTnews.com, 3 Sep. 2019
Adjective
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They’re often infused with local fruit; others contain ginger beer for a spicy-sweet flavor, or tonic or club soda for the required fizz.Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2025
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The company repeatedly violated state laws without consequences, including closing hospital units without required notice.Mike Deehan, Axios, 16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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People are tired of prescribed approaches to their work.Glenn Llopis, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
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In Germany in the early 1930s, many people were tired of violence, uncertainty, and a failing economy and hoped that a strong leader would heed their concerns and come up with new and effective solutions to bring better and calmer days.Margaret MacMillan, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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And no incumbent president who was anywhere near as unpopular as Biden has ever won.Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
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Telesco believed Minshew was a solid option to compete with and potentially supplant incumbent starter Aidan O’Connell.Vic Tafur, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Captain Rohit Sharma could not even make it to the fifth Test, so abject his batting as a notably flustered persona took hold of his usual unflappable demeanour, while mighty Virat Kohli was reduced to a diminished figure after continually being baffled by Scott Boland.Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
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It was started on a Sunday in order to allow the Metropolitan Transportation Authority enough time to fix any kinks, during a day when traffic is quieter than usual.Robbie Griffiths, NPR, 5 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Texas will ensure necessary resources are swiftly deployed.Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
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How long can Johnson — and Trump — keep them striking that balance? Footnotes *Granted, this is eight more than were necessary last Congress, when just a single Republican could introduce a motion to vacate.G. Elliott Morris, ABC News, 7 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near obligatory
Cite this Entry
“Obligatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligatory. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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