Synonyms for compulsory
kəmˈpʌl sə ricom·pul·so·ry

WiktionaryRate these synonyms:4.2 / 5 votes

1. compulsoryadjective

   Synonyms:
   mandatory

2. compulsoryadjective

   Required; obligatory; mandatory

   The ten-dollar fee was compulsory.

   Synonyms:
   mandatory

   Antonyms:
   optional

3. compulsoryadjective

   Having the power of compulsion; constraining

   Such compulsory measures are limited.

   Synonyms:
   mandatory

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:1.0 / 2 votes

1. compulsory

   In the strict sense, absolute, free from all limitation or control, and supreme, superior to all, can not properly be said of any being except the divine. Both words are used, however, in a modified sense, of human authorities; absolute then signifying free from limitation by other authority, and supreme exalted over all other; as, an absolute monarch, the supreme court. Absolute, in this use, does not necessarily carry any unfavorable sense, but as absolute power in human hands is always abused, the unfavorable meaning predominates. Autocratic power knows no limits outside the ruler's self; arbitrary power, none outside the ruler's will or judgment, arbitrary carrying the implication of wilfulness and capriciousness. Despotic is commonly applied to a masterful or severe use of power, which is expressed more decidedly by tyrannical. Arbitrary may be used in a good sense; as, the pronunciation of proper names is arbitrary; but the bad sense is the prevailing one; as, an arbitrary proceeding. Irresponsible power is not necessarily bad, but eminently dangerous; an executor or trustee should not be irresponsible; an irresponsible ruler is likely to be tyrannical. A perfect ruler might be irresponsible and not tyrannical. Authoritative is used always in a good sense, implying the right to claim authority; imperative, peremptory, and positive are used ordinarily in the good sense; as, an authoritative definition; an imperative demand; a peremptory command; positive instructions; imperious signifies assuming and determined to command, rigorously requiring obedience. An imperious demand or requirement may have in it nothing offensive; it is simply one that resolutely insists upon compliance, and will not brook refusal; an arrogant demand is offensive by its tone of superiority, an arbitrary demand by its unreasonableness; an imperious disposition is liable to become arbitrary and arrogant. A person of an independent spirit is inclined to resent an imperious manner in any one, especially in one whose superiority is not clearly recognized. Commanding is always used in a good sense; as, a commanding appearance; a commanding eminence. Compare DOGMATIC; INFINITE; PERFECT.

   Synonyms:
   absolute, arbitrary, arrogant, authoritative, autocratic, coercive, commanding, compulsive, controlling, despotic, dictatorial, dogmatic, domineering, exacting, haughty, imperative, imperious, irresponsible, lordly, overbearing, peremptory, positive, supreme, tyrannical, unconditional, unequivocal

   Antonyms:
   accountable, complaisant, compliant, conditional, constitutional, contingent, docile, ductile, gentle, humble, lenient, limited, lowly, meek, mild, responsible, submissive, yielding

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:2.4 / 5 votes

1. compulsory, mandatory, requiredadjective

   required by rule

   "in most schools physical education is compulsory"; "attendance is mandatory"; "required reading"

   Synonyms:
   requisite, needful, mandatory, needed, required

   Antonyms:
   optional

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:4.0 / 1 vote

1. compulsoryadjective

   Synonyms:
   compelling, constraining, coercive

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. compulsoryadjective

   Synonyms:
   constraining, coercive, obligatory, unavoidable

   Antonyms:
   optional, discretional, elective

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "compulsory":

   mandatory, obligatory, binding, non-compensatory, obligation, forced, required, coercive, obligations, peremptory, statutory, forcible, requirement, obliged

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How to use compulsory in a sentence?

1. Richard Lightbound:

   A lot of the technology is already available. It's just a question of packaging it together at the right cost for the farmers, if you can reduce herbicides by the factor of 10 it becomes very compelling for the farmer in terms of productivity. It's also eco friendly and that's clearly going to be very popular, if not compulsory, at some stage.

2. Boris Johnson:

   We can return to Plan A in England and allow Plan B regulations to expire. As a result, from the start of Thursday next week, mandatory certification will end, organizations can, of course, choose to use the NHS COVID pass voluntarily, but we will end the compulsory use of COVID safety certification in England.

3. Sipho P Nkosi:

   I have a strong belief that tomorrow we shall escape the poverty if soon the agriculture subject is made compulsory in our schools.

4. Craig Singleton:

   The notion of robbing pensioners to pay back the party for the costs associated with compulsory Covid testing and other expensive pandemic measures was never going to sit well with the general populace.

5. Alexandra Minna Stern:

   Under those laws, about 60,000 people were sterilized in procedures that we would qualify today as being compulsory, forced, involuntary, and under the justifications that the people who were being sterilized were unfit to reproduce.