compulsory
adjective
com·pul·so·ry
kəm-ˈpəls-rē 
-ˈpəl-sə-
2
: coercive, compelling
compulsory measures
Synonyms
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
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
Uruguayans are not obliged to vote in the plebiscites, but voting in the congressional and presidential races is compulsory.
—Nayara Batschke and Isabel Debre, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2024
Lawmakers are calling for the introduction of a minimum age restriction of 14 years for using fatbikes and making wearing helmets compulsory.
—Afp, Fortune Europe, 13 Sep. 2024
There should be a compulsory living wage for sustainable farming roles and more work to reduce pesticide and fertiliser use.
—Christopher Marquis, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Taiwan has responded by moving to shore up its defense, including by marginally raising its military budget, extending compulsory service from four months to one year and developing new indigenous weapons platforms, such as attack submarines.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for compulsory 
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Nayara Batschke and Isabel Debre, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2024
Lawmakers are calling for the introduction of a minimum age restriction of 14 years for using fatbikes and making wearing helmets compulsory.
—Afp, Fortune Europe, 13 Sep. 2024
There should be a compulsory living wage for sustainable farming roles and more work to reduce pesticide and fertiliser use.
—Christopher Marquis, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Taiwan has responded by moving to shore up its defense, including by marginally raising its military budget, extending compulsory service from four months to one year and developing new indigenous weapons platforms, such as attack submarines.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for compulsory
Dictionary Entries Near compulsory
Cite this Entry
“Compulsory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compulsory. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
compulsory
adjective
com·pul·so·ry
kəm-ˈpəls-(ə-)rē
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
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
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