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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stereotyped
used or heard so often as to be dull
the obligatory cliff-hanger endings for season finales of TV shows
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of obligatory
In addition to the obligatory singing, there was abundant conversation.
—
Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026
Wake Up Dead Man probably reached a new level of star-wasting — the sheer celebrity wattage is enough to add energy, even in the obligatory chamber room scenes where Benoit Blanc monologues his way through details that might be perilously dry otherwise.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 15 Jan. 2026
The key is choosing practical items that feel elevated, not obligatory.
—Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 14 Jan. 2026
The couple indulged in all of the obligatory baecation activities while staying at the Four Seasons.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obligatory
Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026
Wake Up Dead Man probably reached a new level of star-wasting — the sheer celebrity wattage is enough to add energy, even in the obligatory chamber room scenes where Benoit Blanc monologues his way through details that might be perilously dry otherwise.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 15 Jan. 2026
The key is choosing practical items that feel elevated, not obligatory.
—Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 14 Jan. 2026
The couple indulged in all of the obligatory baecation activities while staying at the Four Seasons.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obligatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligatory
Adjective
-
One weapons count carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years and a maximum of life, while another related conspiracy charge also carries a maximum sentence of life.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
-
More than 300 district judges in Minnesota and elsewhere have so far rejected the government’s mandatory detention policies, ordering detainees released or granted bond hearings.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Later, Lenape artist Joe Baker places cutout photographs of his ancestors over the stereotyped images of Native Americans found in the wallpaper.—
Tom McDonough,
Artforum,
1 Nov. 2025
-
Several leaders described the pressure of being both highly visible and easily stereotyped.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
Adjective
-
European and American teachings focused more on compulsory figures, the basic patterns skaters would trace across the ice that give the sport its name.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Last year, Denmark sought to increase the number of young people in the military by extending compulsory enlistment to women for the first time.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
While a few icons have grown tired (like the Fontainebleau Miami Beach and Eden Roc Miami Beach, missing from this list), several have recently poured money into renovations, including the Mayfair House and Gardens; Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, which just reopened; and the Delano Miami.—
Devorah Lev-Tov,
Robb Report,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Bell remembered during the Stars on Ice tour in 2022 when the skaters rolled into a new city, tired, groggy and sore from the long bus ride, Liu, dressed in a baggy hoodie and billowing sweatpants, could go on the ice and throw perfect jumps without warning.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
They are focused on the human injustices wrought by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers who have stopped cars on roadsides, rounded up job-seekers and even laid in wait outside hearing rooms to detain people complying with required appearances in immigration court.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Feb. 2026
-
The floor initially existed as a score consisting of the project drawings and the required materials; the final shape was left to the team, with the sole instruction not to clean or organize them neatly.—
K. Desbouis,
Artforum,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
All-cash offers, including in Boise and its surrounding suburbs, became commonplace and spurred bidding wars that drove up housing prices, Michael Megis, a longtime broker also with the Homes of Idaho real estate firm, said in an interview.—
Kevin Fixler,
Idaho Statesman,
10 Feb. 2026
-
McTier said Disney’s deal with OpenAI is an example of the kind of partnership that should become more commonplace.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The Sun Sentinel Editorial Board recommends that Pembroke Pines voters re-elect two capable and conscientious incumbent commissioners.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Jenks ran as a Republican candidate for the Idaho House of Representatives in 2014 but lost with 36% of the vote to the incumbent Democrat.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images Amadou Onana’s usual whipping up of the crowd comes after every Aston Villa win.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Size-up to wear it as a layering piece, or stick with your usual size to wear it solo on milder days.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obligatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligatory. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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