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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Recent Examples of obligation
The wheel tax increase is an effort to address the fiscal pressures the city is under due to pension obligations and wage increases.
—
Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Kering and L’Oréal also said jointly at the time that Kering’s obligations would be respected regarding the existing license agreement.
—Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 7 Nov. 2025
All 16 petitions came from eight refineries regarding obligations for compliance years 2021-2024.
—Callie Patteson, The Washington Examiner, 7 Nov. 2025
And every year, there is talk about raising taxes to pay for those obligations.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obligation
Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Kering and L’Oréal also said jointly at the time that Kering’s obligations would be respected regarding the existing license agreement.
—Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 7 Nov. 2025
All 16 petitions came from eight refineries regarding obligations for compliance years 2021-2024.
—Callie Patteson, The Washington Examiner, 7 Nov. 2025
And every year, there is talk about raising taxes to pay for those obligations.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obligation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligation
Noun
-
At the time, the 56-year-old was given the go-ahead to continue his coaching duties during his treatment.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
To garrison those vulnerable treasure houses, Britain had to reassign regiments from tours of duty in North America and abandon Philadelphia, the biggest prize the redcoats had taken so far.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Opponents raised concerns about the cost of new construction and long-term debt, arguing that renovations could have addressed the library’s deficiencies.—
Daniel Hunt,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
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In March 2025, xAI acquired X at a valuation of $45 billion, including debt, just over two years after Musk had purchased what was then known as Twitter for $44 billion.—
Diana Leyva,
Nashville Tennessean,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
That gap creates an opportunity—and a responsibility—for leadership.—
Kelly Jones,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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The title refers to the blame placed on working women tacitly assigned responsibility for their kids as well as their jobs, an assumption that becomes explicit in a time of crisis.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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According to the United Nations, Venezuela historically does not produce enough food to meet its needs, and many products must be imported from abroad and paid for in foreign currencies.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
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The Mavs are in desperate need of some good PR, and, at this point, their only move isn’t another PR person but to offer up a GM that the people cannot stand.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
None of these commitments have been honored.—
Kim Aris,
Time,
7 Nov. 2025
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The announcement includes a commitment from both companies to sell the starting dose of new oral GLP-1 drugs for about $150; the higher doses for Eli Lilly’s drug will be capped at $399.—
Nicholas Florko,
The Atlantic,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obligation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligation. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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