1
as in to accommodate
to do a service or favor for
I would appreciate it greatly if you could oblige me by bringing a dessert to the party
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to compel
to cause (a person) to give in to pressure
I know you're in a hurry, but you can't oblige me to drive any faster than the speed limit
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 oblige
That emergency obliges all of us — critical filmmakers, activists, big and small festivals — to be more courageous.
—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
18 June 2026
The landlord would go back to paying the full amount of their property-tax bill but would no longer be obliged to keep the apartments rent-stabilized — after taking care of a few essential steps along the way.
—
Olivia Bensimon,
Curbed,
17 June 2026
Digital services are also obliged to implement an age verification mechanism that goes beyond self-declaration that the user is over 18 to protect them from accessing inappropriate or prohibited material.
—
ABC News,
15 June 2026
There was a time—not so very long ago—when world leaders felt obliged to lie to us.
—
Rosa Brooks,
Washington Post,
15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for oblige
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
18 June 2026
The landlord would go back to paying the full amount of their property-tax bill but would no longer be obliged to keep the apartments rent-stabilized — after taking care of a few essential steps along the way.
—
Olivia Bensimon,
Curbed,
17 June 2026
Digital services are also obliged to implement an age verification mechanism that goes beyond self-declaration that the user is over 18 to protect them from accessing inappropriate or prohibited material.
—
ABC News,
15 June 2026
There was a time—not so very long ago—when world leaders felt obliged to lie to us.
—
Rosa Brooks,
Washington Post,
15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for oblige
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oblige
Verb
-
While earlier concepts called for flip-up chairback seating throughout the stadium, engineers determined the historic venue's existing structure could not accommodate those seats without significantly reducing capacity or requiring major reconstruction.
-
The Department of Homeland Security is changing the guidelines for Iran’s national soccer team ahead of its third World Cup match on Friday to accommodate extra time afforded to other countries in the tournament, an agency spokesperson said.
Verb
-
Detective Joshua Hylton was granted a geofence warrant that compelled Google to search its database and identify every cellphone in a 17½-acre area around the bank, including private residences and a church, for a period of two hours.
-
The Current building the stadium, of course, helped compel the expansion that opened in May with a stop that is about a five-minute walk from the stadium.
Verb
-
Tauruses usually follow the rules and do what is suggested to thrive and prosper because appeasing others is easier than arguing.
-
In a 3-0 battering of Scotland, manager Carlo Ancelotti appeased the people of Miami with a Neymar cameo.
Verb
-
Weger later insisted he had been coerced into making the confession.
-
The decentralized group, created by 15-year-old Bradley Chance Cadenhead in Stephenville, targets children through social media, gaming platforms and messaging apps to coerce them into self-harm and sharing explicit content.
Verb
-
Given the scale of the tragedy and the size of its foreign debt, Venezuela needs far more than the aid now arriving to assist those affected and rebuild its infrastructure.
-
Law enforcement closed the westbound traffic lanes for about 13 hours as emergency responders assisted those involved and cleared the accident scene, the release said.
Verb
-
Chisholm did not appear to go around and immediately erupted over the lack of an appeal, forcing Boone and first base coach Dan Fiorito to intervene.
-
The competing corridors have left shippers confused, forcing vessels to navigate threats from sea mines, aerial drones and IRGC patrol boats.
Verb
-
Rodríguez said on Saturday night that 24 countries had sent aid and more than 2,700 rescuers were in the country to help with search operations.
-
Batches of limited stock sales will be allowed in the coming months, however, and some real estate agents and bankers are putting together workarounds to help expectant millionaires leverage their future gains to secure loans.
Verb
-
Parents feel obligated to provide their children with a certain standard of summer vacation, regardless of the actual cost.
-
You are not obligated to carry everyone’s emotions, Sagittarius.
Cite this Entry
“Oblige.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oblige. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
