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
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Recent Examples of obligate
Cal State said under the subpoena, CSU LA was legally obligated to provide employees’ names, gender, race/ethnicity, position title, work site, preferred personal phone number and personal email address, among other information.
—
Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2025
Under the terms of the agreement, Hamas was obligated to return all 28 bodies of dead captives as well.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2025
The Marcus Performing Arts Center's parking structure needs major repairs to stay open — and center executives say the City of Milwaukee is legally obligated to help pay for that work.
—Jr Radcliffe, jsonline.com, 10 Oct. 2025
Taxpayers were obligated to pay taxes due on April 15, 2025, to avoid penalties and interest.
—Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obligate
Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2025
Under the terms of the agreement, Hamas was obligated to return all 28 bodies of dead captives as well.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2025
The Marcus Performing Arts Center's parking structure needs major repairs to stay open — and center executives say the City of Milwaukee is legally obligated to help pay for that work.
—Jr Radcliffe, jsonline.com, 10 Oct. 2025
Taxpayers were obligated to pay taxes due on April 15, 2025, to avoid penalties and interest.
—Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obligate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligate
Verb
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Rivera, who left Mexico at 18, is one of a growing number of people compelled to self-deport out of fear of arrest and detention.—
Laura Romero,
ABC News,
19 Oct. 2025
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Her lawyers say that the gravity of the allegations against her have compelled her to seek asylum.—
Aida Alami,
New Yorker,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In a free society, the government provides broad media access and doesn’t try to coerce reporters into providing only favorable coverage.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
19 Oct. 2025
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Our federal government is coercing institutions to follow its dictates on student admissions, curriculum and programs.—
George R. Boggs,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Tunnels story is that Chinese immigrants built a network of tunnels under the city because they were forced to live underground; the tunnels were then used by gangsters and bootleggers, including Al Capone.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
20 Oct. 2025
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Delta said the disruption forced it to cancel more than 5,000 flights and cost it more than $500 million in revenue and compensation for passengers, among other expenses.—
Leslie Josephs,
CNBC,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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With Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler and Al Horford all sitting out of the Warriors’ preseason game against the Lakers, Golden State needed a dynamic scorer, and Kuminga obliged.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
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Palestinians are fully entitled to secure their fundamental right of self-determination, and all States remain obliged, more than ever, to assist them in their lawful & legitimate cause.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obligate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligate. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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