WordGarden.ioobligatorily
C2Pronunciation
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Meanings
Adverb
in a way that is required by a rule, law, or authority
Beyond the definition
"Obligatorily" describes an action that must be done, not because someone wants to do it, but because a rule, law, or duty requires it. Think about jury duty: you do not go for fun; you go because you are required to. It is stronger than simply saying "have to" because it often points to a formal or official requirement. You might choose to help a friend move, but you pay your taxes obligatorily. The word suggests that the action is imposed from the outside rather than freely chosen.
"Obligatorily" is an adverb meaning "in a way that is required or necessitated by duty, law, or circumstance." It suggests that an action is not performed out of personal desire, but because the individual is bound to do so. It carries a weight of necessity and often implies that personal preference has been set aside.
Consider the phrase, "He attended the gala obligatorily." This does not mean he enjoyed the event; it means his presence was required by his job or social position. Using "obligatorily" is stronger than simply saying "he had to attend" because it emphasizes the formal or social pressure behind the action.
The word frequently appears in formal contexts, such as legal documents, official reports, or discussions of ethics. For example: "The company must obligatorily disclose all safety violations to the board." Or, "She felt obligatorily bound to support her family, regardless of her own career ambitions."
The nuance lies in the source of the action—internal desire versus external demand. While you might willingly volunteer your time, you are obligatorily expected to follow the regulations of your profession. It highlights the distinction between what we want to do and what the world demands of us.
Examples
- 1
University requirement
First-year students are obligatorily enrolled in the writing seminar.
- Usage
obligatorily is formal; in everyday English, "must" or "have to" is more common
- 2
Workplace training
The company says the extra training is offered voluntarily, not obligatorily.
- 3
Legal requirement
In that system, every vehicle on public roads is obligatorily insured.
See also
Similar
- mandatorily
- compulsorily
- as required
Shades of meaning
- necessarily
- by law
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- obligatorily convertible
- obligatorily enrolled
- obligatorily subject to
Word family
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Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- obligatorilyadverb