mandatory

[man-duh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] / ˈmæn dəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i /

ADJECTIVE

required, necessary

Synonyms

STRONGEST

binding compulsory de rigueur essential forced imperative indispensable involuntary obligatory

STRONG

requisite

WEAK

commanding compelling compulsatory imperious irremissible needful

Antonyms

STRONGEST

free inessential nonessential optional secondary unforced unnecessary voluntary

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The chain would not confirm whether the new antisemitism training would be rolled out for all staff across all its hotels, and if it would be mandatory.

From BBC • Jun. 16, 2026

Starbucks Korea shutting all stores for a mandatory history class.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 16, 2026

There are dozens of charges that dealers may present as mandatory.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 15, 2026

That got him a fine and a mandatory course on how to use AI properly.

From Barron's • Jun. 15, 2026

I remember doing a mandatory chorus performance back in third grade and coughing right in the middle of our shitty rendition of “This Little Light of Mine.”

From "Five Feet Apart" by Rachael Lippincott

Vocabulary lists containing mandatory

List 2

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Twelve Angry Men

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All American Boys

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