Synonyms of obligation

obligation

noun

ˌä-blə-ˈgā-shən 

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

• duty
• responsibility
• need
• commitment
• promise
• burden
• vow
• requirement
• pledge
• imperative
• office
• constraint
• do
• charge
• pact
• payment
• devoir
• contract
• oath
• incumbency
• debt
• arrangement
• must
• compulsion
• covenant
• trust
• word
• tribute
• restraint
• setup
• prearrangement
• reservation
• coercion
• compact
• force
• troth
• engagement
• appointment
• duress
• onus

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• relief
• discharge
• exemption
• grace
• waiver
• release
• stay
• ease
• postponement
• choice
• option
• alternative
• selection
• preference
• loophole
• pick

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• debt
• indebtedness
• score
• liability
• arrears
• arrearage
• bankruptcy
• bond
• default
• debit
• delinquency
• insolvency
• embarrassment

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• repayment
• asset
• quittance
• quietus

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of obligation

However, these American allies—the spokes—did not necessarily have defense obligations to each other. — Huong Le-Thu, Time, 22 July 2026

The donor must have no other taxable gifts or Form 709 filing obligations for that year. — Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Even in the best-case scenario—OpenAI’s full legal compliance, no violations, a fair exchange—investors are still putting money into a company beholden to public interest obligations its competitors don’t face, governed solely by a nonprofit. — Orson Aguilar, Fortune, 22 July 2026

Known as legal financial obligations, or criminal justice debt, these penalties encompass a range of economic sanctions. — Brian Lawton, The Conversation, 22 July 2026