The mandatory character of schooling is rarely analyzed in the multitude of works dedicated to the study of the various ways to develop within children the desire to learn.
Source: tatoeba (1623)
Mandatory
/ˈmæn.dəˌt(ɔ)ɹi/
Synonyms for "mandatory" (217 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (44)
Adjective(13 words)
compulsoryrequiredbinding agreementbinding clausebinding legal rulebinding vowboundencompulsory assessmentcompulsory examcompulsory laborcompulsory marriagecompulsory taskcore module
Verb(2 words)
Noun(10 words)
binding contractbinding decisionbinding effectbinding instrumentcatalan obligaciócoercive reformcommunity-service activitycommunity-service workcore curriculumcore school subjects
Strong matches (65)
countyde rigueurdecisivedecretorydemandeddictateddidacticdomaindominionduchydukedomempireentailedessentialexigentfinalforcedformularyhard and fasthard-and-fast
Show 6 more words
Noun(15 words)
Adjective(19 words)
crucial factordeclarabledecretivedirective actiondirective languagedistrict-mandated scheduleenforceableenforceable descriptoressentialessential biological functionessential conceptessential service provisionforced responsegoverning authority guidelinesgovernment-mandatedgovernment-mandated programimportantimposed goalincumbent arrangement
Related words (108)
Adjective(28 words)
key learning conceptlegal obligationmandated servicenecessarynormativeobligatoryobligatory assignmentobligatory provisionobligatory readingobligatory requirementobligatory ruleobligatory safetyonerousprerequisite courseregulatory filingsregulatory requirementrequired courserequired readingrequired servicestatutory code
Show 8 more words
statutory corpusstatutory guidelinestatutory guidelinesstatutory measurestatutory reportingstatutory requirementsunavoidablezero tolerance policy
Noun(28 words)
legally mandatedlegally requiredmaintenance schedulemandatarymandatemandatingmaster disconnectmore compulsorymost forcedmost requirednecessary conditionsobbligatoobligatopersonal history information disclosureprerequisitepublic noticepublicly mandatedregularly scheduledrequired textrequired-reading assignment
Show 8 more words
required-reading scheduleroyal edictstate law code provisionsstatutorily mandatedstatutory provisionstipulatingstrictly necessarystudent force reading
Verb(5 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: compulsory, required, absolute, ally, authoritative.
- Sentence evidence is available for mandatory, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, moby, derived_reverse, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "mandatory".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "mandatory"
Keep "mandatory" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "mandatory" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "mandatory", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "mandatory" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
7 entriesMore specific
6 entriescritical requirementessential stepmandatory attendancemandatory drillmandatory examnonoptional procedure
Collocations
6 entriesmandatory attendancemandatory exammandatory field tripmandatory policymandatory requirementmandatory training
Inflections
2 entriesmore mandatorymost mandatory
Derivations
3 entriessimilar
1 entriesSample sentences
15 total sentences available.
It should be clear that the curriculum reform is mandatory in order to enhance interdisciplinary research.
Source: tatoeba (21470)
Age discrimination is illegal and retirement is mandatory in only a few occupations.
Source: tatoeba (282222)
A cooking course should be mandatory in schools.
Source: tatoeba (325772)
Showing 4 of 15 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "mandatory"?
Closest matches include compulsory, required, absolute, ally, authoritative.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "mandatory"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.