Compulsorily

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. In a way that is required or enforced by law, rule, or authority
2. Expressing that something must be done without exception or choice
3. Describing actions carried out as an obligation rather than voluntarily

Etymology: "Compulsorily" is a plain formation: the adjective "compulsory" with the suffix "-ly" added to turn it into an adverb. The adjective itself comes from the Latin verb "compellere," meaning "to drive together" or "to force," built from "com-" (together) and "pellere" (to drive). The suffix has a long ancestry of its own. It descends from a Germanic word meaning "body" or "form," which appeared in English as "-lic" and later simplified to "-ly," so the same ending that marks "quickly" or "bravely" is at root a fossil of the word for "like" or "shape." Used with "compulsory," the suffix produces an adverb meaning "in a way that is required or forced." The sense of force carried over from Latin is still present: something done compulsorily is done because it cannot be avoided, whether by rule or by pressure.

Synonyms: mandatorily, obligatorily, necessarily, involuntarily, forced

Antonyms: voluntarily, optionally, willingly, freely, discretionarily