obligate
verb
ob·li·gate
ˈä-blə-ˌgāt 
obligated; obligating
1
: to bind legally or morally : constrain
You are obligated to repay the loan.
I feel obligated to return the favor.
2
: to commit (something, such as funds) to meet an obligation
funds obligated for new projects
Examples of obligate in a Sentence
The contract obligates the firm to complete the work in six weeks.
the problem is of your own making, so don't think that you can obligate me to help
Recent Examples on the Web
Prosecutors are obligated to provide both sides of a case, the attorneys said.
—
City News Service, Oc Register, 29 May 2026
The memorandum of understanding, first reported by Axios, would require unfettered shipping through the Strait of Hormuz without tolls and obligate Iran to remove mines from the waterway within 30 days.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Even if some city leaders believe that the terms of JUMA are overly favorable to the Padres, the team is not obligated to absorb more expenses to help the city address its shortfall The Padres are surely going to point out the team’s large economic impact on the region.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2026
The African American Sports and Entertainment Group will then be obligated to pay $115 million to the county in three annual payments, with 5% annual interest paid on any outstanding balance, according to the term sheet.
—Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for obligate
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City News Service, Oc Register, 29 May 2026
The memorandum of understanding, first reported by Axios, would require unfettered shipping through the Strait of Hormuz without tolls and obligate Iran to remove mines from the waterway within 30 days.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Even if some city leaders believe that the terms of JUMA are overly favorable to the Padres, the team is not obligated to absorb more expenses to help the city address its shortfall The Padres are surely going to point out the team’s large economic impact on the region.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2026
The African American Sports and Entertainment Group will then be obligated to pay $115 million to the county in three annual payments, with 5% annual interest paid on any outstanding balance, according to the term sheet.
—Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for obligate
Cite this Entry
“Obligate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obligate. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
obligate
adjective
ob·li·gate
ˈäb-li-gət
-lə-ˌgāt
-lə-ˌgāt
1
: restricted to one particularly characteristic mode of life or way of functioning
the infant is an obligate nose breather—The Journal of the American Medical Association
The Journal of the American Medical Associationan obligate parasite
2
: biologically essential for survival
obligate parasitism
obligately
adverb
Legal Definition
obligate
transitive verb
ob·li·gate
ˈä-blə-ˌgāt
obligated; obligating
1
: to bind legally or morally
was obligated to pay child support
2
: to commit (as funds or property) to meet or provide security for an obligation
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