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View synonyms for compulsory

compulsory

[ kuhm-puhl-suh-ree ]

adjective

  1. required; mandatory; obligatory:

    compulsory education.

    Antonyms: voluntary

  2. using compulsion; compelling; constraining:

    compulsory measures to control rioting.

    Antonyms: voluntary



noun

, plural com·pul·so·ries.
  1. something, as an athletic feat, that must be performed or completed as part of a contest or competition:

    The ice skater received a higher score on the compulsories than on her freestyle performance.

compulsory

/ kəmˈpʌlsərɪ /

adjective

  1. required by regulations or laws; obligatory

    compulsory education

  2. involving or employing compulsion; compelling; necessary; essential
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Derived Forms

  • comˈpulsorily, adverb
  • comˈpulsoriness, noun
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Other Words From

  • com·pulso·ri·ly adverb
  • com·pulso·ri·ness noun
  • noncom·pulso·ri·ly adverb
  • noncom·pulso·ri·ly·ness noun
  • noncom·pulso·ry adjective
  • quasi-com·pulso·ri·ly adverb
  • quasi-com·pulso·ry adjective
  • uncom·pulso·ry adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of compulsory1

1510–20; < Medieval Latin compulsōrius, equivalent to Latin compul-, variant stem of compellere ( compel ) + -sōrius, for -tōrius -tory 1; compulsive
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Example Sentences

In February, Myanmar’s military regime, known as the junta, announced compulsory conscription, meaning all men aged 18 to 35 and women aged 18 to 27 would be forced to serve for up to two years.

From BBC

In a note to employees on Tuesday, the company's chairman Lord Rose said office attendance would also become compulsory for at least three days per week from January.

From BBC

Human rights activists have called on authorities in Iran to release a woman who was detained after removing her clothes at a university, in what they said was a protest against the compulsory hijab laws.

From BBC

Despite a vigorous effort of the House Intelligence Committee, investigators were eventually stymied by Trump’s refusal to cooperate with supposedly compulsory subpoenas.

From Slate

While being a handyman might be a desirable trait, it is not compulsory.

From BBC

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compulsivecompulsory purchase