compulsory

adjective

com·​pul·​so·​ry kəm-ˈpəls-rē How to pronounce compulsory (audio)
-ˈpəl-sə-
1
: mandatory, enforced
compulsory retirement
2
: coercive, compelling
compulsory measures
compulsorily
kəm-ˈpəls-rə-lē How to pronounce compulsory (audio)
-ˈpəl-sə-
adverb

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
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Hybrid and flexible work environments that are built around intentional in-person experiences rather than compulsory presence can drive greater innovation and engagement. Solange Charas, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025 India, in less than two years, subjected millions of citizens to compulsory sterilization. Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025 The compulsory removal of all Gazans — including thousands of terrorists — is not only contrary to international law, but it is also forbidden by Judaism. Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025 However, in the past year the city eliminated funding for needle exchanges and implemented compulsory treatment strategies, which research suggests often do not reduce drug use or criminal recidividism. Ben Cocchiaro, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for compulsory

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French compulsorie "compelling, coercive," borrowed from Medieval Latin compulsōrius, derivative, with -tōrius, deverbal adjective suffix (originally forming derivatives from agent nouns ending in -tōr-, -tor) of Latin compellere "to drive together, force to go, force (to a view, course of action)" (with -s- from past participle compulsus) — more at compel

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of compulsory was in 1581

Cite this Entry

“Compulsory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compulsory. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

compulsory

adjective
com·​pul·​so·​ry kəm-ˈpəls-(ə-)rē How to pronounce compulsory (audio)
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 How to pronounce compulsory (audio)
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
compulsorily adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on compulsory

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