Thesaurus results for BEHOLDEN

beholden

adjective

bi-ˈhōl-dən

Definition of beholden

as in obligated

being under obligation for a favor or gift not wanting to be beholden to anyone, he insisted on paying his own way

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of beholden This reader hopes that will be a rebuttal to all the dubious America 250 content flooding orgs beholden to the neutered NEA. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 16 June 2026 This relax-about-skin-cancer approach, Jacobsen believes, particularly applies for people with darker skin tones, who have been beholden to medical guidelines developed primarily for white folks. — Kara McGrath, Allure, 16 June 2026 The Guardians are once again beholden to the platoon advantage. — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 11 June 2026 It’s been beholden to the performance of big tech stocks such as SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics. — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for beholden

Recent Examples of Synonyms for beholden

Adjective

The spokesperson did not respond to specific questions including what the legal basis would be for rescinding obligated funding.

— Jan Ellen Spiegel, Hartford Courant, 8 Aug. 2025

Definition of obligated

Adjective

Oligarchs pocketed the petrodollars of the late-aughts oil boom and left the nation somehow poorer and more indebted.

— Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 1 July 2026
Leaders should instead focus on creating a workplace environment where people feel valued rather than indebted.

— Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of indebted

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behold

beholden

beholding

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“Beholden.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beholden. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of beholden

adjective

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