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obligation

noun

ˌä-blə-ˈgā-shən How to pronounce obligation (audio)
Definition of obligationnext
1
as in duty
something one must do because of prior agreement their financial obligations keep them from giving to charities as much as they would like

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in debt
something (as money) which is owed I have to pay off my current obligations before I can buy a new car

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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 obligation Each of these can affect your investment strategy, account structures, tax obligations, insurance coverage and estate planning (registration required). — Tom Zachystal, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2026 If your property is not bound by the rules and obligations of a homeowners association, emphasize that, too. — Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2026 According to Iberti, the subcommittee passed a resolution that trades a requirement for a full renovation of the old building and replaces it with an obligation to install a plaque or other monument to its history. — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 17 Sep. 2026 But when other expenses are competing for the same limited funds, even that smaller monthly obligation can become difficult to fit into the budget. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for obligation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligation
  1. duty
  2. debt
  3. responsibility
  4. need
  5. commitment
Noun
  • Let the national flag float over every schoolhouse in the country and the exercises be such as shall impress upon our youth the patriotic duties of American citizenship.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Pembroke Pines officers asked the sheriff’s office to handle the homicide investigation — John retired from the Pembroke Pines Police Department following nearly 28 years of service and his on-duty motorcycle crash.
    — Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of duty
Noun
  • At the time, Mayor Christopher Clark said that the city was $164 million in debt due to a combination of factors, including a trail of expensive scandals left by predecessor Eric Kellogg, and chronically low tax collection rates.
    — A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The Apollo investment is a combination of debt and equity in Yankee Global Enterprises (YGE), and the Steinbrenners and some LP stakeholders sold some of their shares.
    — Scott Soshnick, Sportico.com, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of debt
Noun
  • Their characters contended with sexism, inflexible schedules, unequal pay and the near impossibility of balancing work with responsibilities at home.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Lewis was never charged in the poisonings, but he was convicted of extortion for sending a letter to Tylenol maker Johnson & Johnson taking responsibility for the deaths and demanding $1 million to stop them.
    — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of responsibility
Noun
  • Surely, The New York Times suggests in its review of the book, Green sees himself in Juniper’s need to be taken seriously as an adult.
    — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 24 Sep. 2026
  • In a statement, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation acknowledged the need to improve regulation and ensure it is applied consistently in every county.
    — Robert J. Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of need
Noun
  • And then Jeremy got on the Boys From Brazil thing for television, and those commitments are, like, two years.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
  • September is National Suicide Prevention Month, a time to honor the lives lost to suicide, to stand with the families and communities suicide has touched, and to renew our commitment to prevention.
    — Courtney Marx, Sun Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of commitment

Browse Nearby Words

obligating
obligation
obligations
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Cite this Entry

“Obligation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligation. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on obligation

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about obligation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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