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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Here's where mandatory evacuation orders are in place for Californians.Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 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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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
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People are tired of prescribed approaches to their work.Glenn Llopis, Forbes, 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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All Billboard charts dated Jan. 25 will update on Billboard.com on Wednesday, Jan. 22, a day later than usual due to the Jan. 20 Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday in the U.S.Kevin Rutherford, Billboard, 17 Jan. 2025
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The shop has worked its usual magic on the mill, upping output to 625 hp and 627 ft lbs of torque.Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 17 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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In election after election, voters have backed candidates who promise to do whatever is necessary to stop the flow of unauthorized arrivals and, in many cases, send millions back to their countries of origin, no matter how war-torn or desperate.Amy Pope, Foreign Affairs, 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 21 Jan. 2025.
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