What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Precatory vs Mandatory - What's the difference?

precatory | mandatory |

As adjectives the difference between precatory and mandatory

is that precatory is expressing a wish while mandatory is obligatory; required or commanded by authority.

As a noun mandatory is

a person, organisation or state who receives a mandate; a mandatary.

precatory

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Expressing a wish.
  • * 1827 , , The Journal of Sir Walter Scott , "December 1827":
    • December 8. . . . A precatory letter from Gillies. I must do Molière for him, I suppose; but it is wonderful that knowing the situation I am in, the poor fellow presses so hard.
  • (legal) Expressing a wish but not creating any legal obligation or duty.
    • precatory words in a will

    Synonyms

    * precative * (legal) aspirational

    Related terms

    * precation

    See also

    * should

    mandatory

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Obligatory; required or commanded by authority.
    • Attendance at a school is usually mandatory .
  • * 1999 , Ian Stewart, Jack Cohen, Figments of Reality: The Evolution of the Curious Mind , page 276
    • This kind of immediate control structure we take to be characteristic of the tribe, and it leads to a rather rigid type of system in which 'every action not mandatory is forbidden'.
  • Of, being or relating to a mandate.
    • Mandatory Palestine

    Synonyms

    * compulsory * obligatory

    Antonyms

    * (obligatory) optional * (obligatory) elective

    Derived terms

    * mandatoriness

    Noun

    (mandatories)
  • (dated, rare) A person, organisation or state who receives a mandate; a mandatary.

    • External links

    * * * Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary * The Oxford English Dictionary

    Anagrams

    *