View synonyms for obligatory

obligatory

[ uh-blig-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, ob-li-guh- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

required as a matter of obligation; mandatory:
A reply is desirable but not obligatory.
incumbent or compulsory (usually followed by on or upon ):
duties obligatory on all.
Synonyms: imperative, necessary
Antonyms: voluntary
imposing moral or legal obligation; binding:
an obligatory promise.
creating or recording an obligation, as a document.

obligatory

/ ɒˈblɪɡətərɪ; -trɪ /

adjective

required to be done, obtained, possessed, etc
of the nature of or constituting an obligation

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Derived Forms

obˈligatorily, adverb

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Other Words From

ob·lig·a·to·ri·ly [uh, -, blig, -, uh, -tawr-, uh, -lee, ‑-tohr‑, ob, -li-g, uh, ‑, uh, -blig-, uh, -, tawr, -, uh, -lee, ‑-, tohr, ‑, ob-li-g, uh, ‑], adverb
ob·liga·tori·ness noun
nonob·liga·tori·ly adverb
nonob·liga·tory adjective
uno·bliga·tory adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of obligatory¹

1425–75; late Middle English < Late Latin obligātōrius binding, equivalent to Latin obligā ( re ) to bind ( obligate ) + -tōrius -tory ¹

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Example Sentences

Tension later filled the auditorium at the Manchester Central venue before the obligatory face-off.

From BBC

After admission into the highly selective international residency program in 2014, one student was approached by an orthodontics staffer requesting what was described as an obligatory “donation” of $30,000 a year, the report said.

From Los Angeles Times

After weeks of workouts, Andrews told Mara to show anyone entering the weight room his biceps, prompting an obligatory flex.

From Los Angeles Times

The obligatory face-off, however, provided the most talked about moment of fight week and demonstrated the mind battle between arguably the two best heavyweights on the planet.

From BBC

First, before we go on, an obligatory nod to the what-about chorus.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

obligato oblige

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