compulsory

adjective

com·​pul·​so·​ry kəm-ˈpəls-rē How to pronounce compulsory (audio)
-ˈpəl-sə-
1
: mandatory, enforced
compulsory retirement
2
: coercive, compelling
compulsory measures
compulsorily
kəm-ˈpəls-rə-lē How to pronounce compulsory (audio)
-ˈpəl-sə-
adverb

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
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Netanyahu’s coalition relies on ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties, who want religious students to remain exempt from Israel’s compulsory military service, a demand the Supreme Court rejects. Ben Smith, semafor.com, 13 June 2025 Lamar didn’t need the compulsory glitter that complements most massive concerts. Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2025 Could this moment spark the creation of a compulsory AI training license, akin to mechanicals for reproduction rights? Virginie Berger, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025 Brought in as a response to 66 fans losing their lives in a crush at Ibrox four years earlier, the act (known as the Green Guide) introduced a compulsory licensing system for grounds in the top two divisions. Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 10 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for compulsory

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French compulsorie "compelling, coercive," borrowed from Medieval Latin compulsōrius, derivative, with -tōrius, deverbal adjective suffix (originally forming derivatives from agent nouns ending in -tōr-, -tor) of Latin compellere "to drive together, force to go, force (to a view, course of action)" (with -s- from past participle compulsus) — more at compel

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of compulsory was in 1581

Cite this Entry

“Compulsory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compulsory. Accessed 27 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

compulsory

adjective
com·​pul·​so·​ry kəm-ˈpəls-(ə-)rē How to pronounce compulsory (audio)
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 How to pronounce compulsory (audio)
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
compulsorily adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on compulsory

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