as in to compel
to cause (a person) to give in to pressure
the problem is of your own making, so don't think that you can obligate me to help
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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 obligate
One is filing a complaint with the DOT, which it is obligated to investigate (at least, for now).
—
Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 29 Sep. 2025
Testimonials from former teammates tend to carry less weight with Hall of Fame selectors than testimonials from rivals, based on the thinking that ex-teammates feel obligated to endorse their friends.
—Mike Sando, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
However, a driver is not legally obligated to submit to a field sobriety test, pre-arrest test or cheek swab at a DUI checkpoint, according to the Law Offices of Grech and Parker in Riverside.
—Sarah Linn, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2025
However, in its news release, NASA said it is no longer obligated to a specific number of resupply missions.
—Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obligate
Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 29 Sep. 2025
Testimonials from former teammates tend to carry less weight with Hall of Fame selectors than testimonials from rivals, based on the thinking that ex-teammates feel obligated to endorse their friends.
—Mike Sando, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
However, a driver is not legally obligated to submit to a field sobriety test, pre-arrest test or cheek swab at a DUI checkpoint, according to the Law Offices of Grech and Parker in Riverside.
—Sarah Linn, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2025
However, in its news release, NASA said it is no longer obligated to a specific number of resupply missions.
—Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obligate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligate
Verb
-
The rally aimed to compel Starbucks to finalize the collective bargaining contract for improved staffing, shift hours, take-home pay and on-the-job protections for its baristas.—
Stuart Dyos,
Nashville Tennessean,
5 Oct. 2025
-
And yet, today, a few pieces of evidence are compelling us to reconsider this scenario.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The judge cited testimony from another former girlfriend, Jane, who said Combs later assaulted her and coerced her into oral sex with an escort.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Questioning earlier medical evidence that the victims suffered brain injuries, the assessment also relied on a controversial study by the National Institutes of Health that was later shut down after an internal review confirmed some patients were coerced to participate.—
Nora Gamez Torres,
Miami Herald,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Lawrence attempted to go over the pile on a fourth-down snap from the 1-yard line, but Bolton greeted him there, slapping the ball away and forcing a fumble inches before the ball reached the line.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
7 Oct. 2025
-
But the shot contest forced Sarr to leave the restricted area and gave Mitchell Robinson an easy path for a putback.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But unlike labels operating within conglomerates like LVMH and Kering (which are obliged to post quarterly financials), the company can work on its future with a little more privacy.—
Fiona Sinclair Scott,
CNN Money,
7 Oct. 2025
-
In contrast with fans of other genres who expect stars to drop a thick new novel every half decade or so, romance readers expect their favorite authors to publish fast and frequently, and writers are typically happy to oblige.—
Rebecca Ackermann,
The Atlantic,
5 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obligate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligate. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share