COMPULSORY Synonyms: 35 Similar and Opposite Words

compulsory

adjective

kəm-ˈpəls-rē

Definition of compulsory

as in mandatory

forcing one's compliance or participation by or as if by law compulsory retirement at age 70

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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.

Recent Examples of compulsory Voting is compulsory for most adults in the world’s fifth largest country, and turnout is typically among the highest in the Americas. — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026 Voting in Brazil is compulsory for most citizens ages 18 to 70 and optional for 16- and 17-year-olds, people over age 70, and people who cannot read or write. — Katie Angell Britannica Editors Oct. 2, Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Oct. 2026 Prepare for the most crowded, compulsory stretch of the calendar. — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2026 The security buildup comes as university students have returned to the streets in Tehran, protesting compulsory hijab rules, rising education costs and political repression, videos published on Iran International show. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for compulsory

Recent Examples of Synonyms for compulsory

Adjective

In Southern California, the city of Long Beach has issued a mandatory evacuation order for some homes through Tuesday.

— Erika Angulo, NBC news, 11 Oct. 2026
Long Beach issued a mandatory evacuation order for residents of Seaside Walk between 64th and 66th Place.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of mandatory

Adjective

That follows two $500,000 ad buys from the business group, which has historically aligned with Republicans, praising incumbent Sens.

— semafor.com, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Rogers is a former congressman who ran in the 2024 race for the same seat but lost to the incumbent Democrat Elissa Slotkin.

— Karma Sabbah, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of incumbent

Adjective

Expect Raman, whom City Hall opponents have long trashed as conflict-averse, to focus on a message of possibility and positivity while holding her ground and striking back — and hard — when necessary.

— Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Officials said no other evacuations were necessary and public safety employees and emergency responders remained on duty.

— Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of necessary

Browse Nearby Words

compulsive

compulsory

compunction

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“Compulsory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compulsory. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of compulsory

adjective

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