oblige

verb

ə-ˈblīj 

obliged; obliging

transitive verb

1

: to constrain by physical, moral, or legal force or by the exigencies of circumstance

obliged to find a job

felt obliged to share it with her

2

a

: to put in one's debt by a favor or service

We are much obliged for your help.

b

: to do a favor for

always ready to oblige a friend

intransitive verb

: to do something as or as if as a favor

When he was asked for advice, he obliged.

obliger noun

Did you know?

If you are obliged by a rule or law you are metaphorically bound by it—that is, you are required to obey it. The idea of binding links the word to its Latin source, ligāre, meaning “to fasten, bind.” But in other common uses, the idea of binding is somewhat masked: it is applied when someone is bound by a debt for some favor or service, as in “We’re much obliged to you for the help,” but in the phrase “happy to oblige” it simply expresses a willingness to do someone a favor, as in “They needed a ride and we were happy to oblige.”

Synonyms

• accommodate
• favor

Choose the Right Synonym for oblige

force, compel, coerce, constrain, oblige mean to make someone or something yield.

force is the general term and implies the overcoming of resistance by the exertion of strength, power, or duress.

forced to flee for their lives

compel typically suggests overcoming of resistance or unwillingness by an irresistible force.

compelled to admit my mistake

coerce suggests overcoming resistance or unwillingness by actual or threatened violence or pressure.

coerced into signing over the rights

constrain suggests the effect of a force or circumstance that limits freedom of action or choice.

constrained by conscience

oblige implies the constraint of necessity, law, or duty.

felt obliged to go

Examples of oblige in a Sentence

The law obliges the government to release certain documents to the public.

Her job obliges her to work overtime and on weekends.

She's always ready to oblige her friends.

“Thank you for your help.” “I'm happy to oblige.”

They asked for food and he obliged with soup and sandwiches.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Wisconsin Supreme Court declined to oblige the governor’s request. —David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 25 June 2025

But when Cadence refuses to oblige Harris, the patriarch remains tight-lipped to maintain the family’s shiny reputation, in true Sinclair fashion. —Alyssa Davis, People.com, 19 June 2025

Surveillance, not least of millions of Palestinians under occupation (and obliged to use Israeli phone systems), generated startups like the spyware firm NSO Group, which soon found clients in the Arab regimes. —Karl Vick, Time, 19 June 2025

Not one to miss out on a chance for showmanship, Fallon asked if Boone could do a flip for the audience, and the artist obliged, backflipping off the revered Tonight Show desk. —Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 5 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English obligen, oblischen "to impose on as a legal or moral duty, bind by oath or contract," borrowed from Anglo-French obliger, borrowed from Latin obligāre "to tie up, restrain by tying, assign, place under a legal or moral constraint, pledge," from ob- "toward, facing" + ligāre "to fasten, bind" — more at ob-, ligature

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing oblige

• noblesse oblige

Rhymes for oblige

• ige

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Kids Definition

oblige

verb

ə-ˈblīj 

obliged; obliging

1

: to compel by pressure : force entry 2 sense 1

the soldiers were obliged to retreat

2

a

: to earn the gratitude of

you will oblige me by coming early

b

: to do a favor for or do something as a favor

glad to oblige

obliger noun