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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of obligatory
Just a few days later, Jenner stepped out in Paris wearing a very French version of Bieber's first look, pairing her Cecily tote with black capris and an elegant white silk blouse, finishing off the look with open-toed sandals and an obligatory pair of skinny sunglasses.
—
Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 26 June 2025
Others may make a obligatory pilgrimage to Mecca — the Hajj pilgrimage — to visit the holiest sites in Islam, including the mountainous region where Abraham’s feted act took place.
—Monica Haider, CNN Money, 6 June 2025
Oh yes, and there's also the obligatory slot for an optional vial of glow-in-the-dark tritium.
—New Atlas, 19 June 2025
After some obligatory agonizing, Alison takes the money.
—Andrea Long Chu, Vulture, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for obligatory
Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 26 June 2025
Others may make a obligatory pilgrimage to Mecca — the Hajj pilgrimage — to visit the holiest sites in Islam, including the mountainous region where Abraham’s feted act took place.
—Monica Haider, CNN Money, 6 June 2025
Oh yes, and there's also the obligatory slot for an optional vial of glow-in-the-dark tritium.
—New Atlas, 19 June 2025
After some obligatory agonizing, Alison takes the money.
—Andrea Long Chu, Vulture, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for obligatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligatory
Adjective
-
According to Vought, those figures include discretionary and mandatory spending included in the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act, which was signed into law by President Trump on Friday.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
9 July 2025
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The statute imposed various mandatory prison terms for violating the law.—
Nina Totenberg,
NPR,
9 July 2025
Adjective
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Rather, films that portray women without the compulsory veil disrupt the symbolic, legal-religious order.—
Ali Farahmand,
IndieWire,
8 July 2025
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To bolster security and safety, standards and regulations emerged to force accountability, including compulsory NERC CIP for the North American energy grid and GDPR for EU data privacy.—
Thomas Ryd,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Adjective
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Several leaders described the pressure of being both highly visible and easily stereotyped.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
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Their negative stereotyped reputation seems to follow them like ageism follows older employees or sexism follows female employees.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
But before the drama unfolds at Royal Portrush, PGA Tour pros are making sure to take that required break to rejuvenate their energy again.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 July 2025
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The Campbell County Republican Committee in Kentucky has been vacated by the state party due to its failure to hold a required organizational meeting.—
Jolene Almendarez,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
The toll on crew members goes far beyond simply being tired.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
6 July 2025
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If tired, float or tread water until out of the rip current.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
6 July 2025
Adjective
-
Kirk is one of seven incumbent Blue Jays bats on pace for at least 0.7 more bWAR than 2024.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
7 July 2025
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Although Ashley is still backing the incumbent team, instead of dividend payouts Hugo Boss’s leadership should prioritize funding long-term growth and financial flexibility, Frasers said in a statement issued late last week.—
Mark Faithfull,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
Adjective
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Both are now visible to the naked eye to observers in the Southern Hemisphere and are currently shining millions of times brighter than usual.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
-
House Republicans were hit After the most contentious legislative session in DeSantis’ history, state lawmakers were bracing for the governor to use more ink than usual with the veto pen.—
Lawrence Mower,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2025
Adjective
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Eduardo Cavaliere, Rio’s vice mayor, said in an interview that the rules were necessary to impose some order to a sometimes chaotic scene.—
Dado Galdieri,
New York Times,
6 July 2025
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Of course the private sector can price assets correctly of its own accord, and if riskless securities are necessary for this purpose, the private sector can produce them.—
Brian Domitrovic,
Forbes.com,
6 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obligatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligatory. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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