as in to compel
to cause (a person) to give in to pressure
the problem is of your own making, so don't think that you can obligate me to help
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of obligate
Unfortunately, only about 6% of that has actually been obligated to date.
—
Rob Young, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2025
The funds were obligated for projects that in many cases had already been contracted — in some cases the work was completed — and were just awaiting payment.
—Jessika Harkay, Hartford Courant, 3 Apr. 2025
We are obligated not only to seek justice for ourselves, but also to protect the rights and freedoms afforded to all people.
—Chicago Tribune, 22 Apr. 2025
One caution: a pre-listing inspection obligates the seller to disclose or repair deficiencies.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obligate
Rob Young, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2025
The funds were obligated for projects that in many cases had already been contracted — in some cases the work was completed — and were just awaiting payment.
—Jessika Harkay, Hartford Courant, 3 Apr. 2025
We are obligated not only to seek justice for ourselves, but also to protect the rights and freedoms afforded to all people.
—Chicago Tribune, 22 Apr. 2025
One caution: a pre-listing inspection obligates the seller to disclose or repair deficiencies.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obligate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligate
Verb
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That we are compelled to take Miller’s suggestion seriously is a measure of the gravity of the threat to American democracy.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
12 May 2025
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However, unbeknownst to Joe or the four cooks, Edward felt compelled by Joe's message and sent another food critic to secretly review the restaurant.—
Caroline Blair,
People.com,
12 May 2025
Verb
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Gaslighting is a form of emotional and psychological manipulation in which one person attempts to coerce another person into doubting their own accurate observations, perspectives, and experiences.—
Maia Niguel Hoskin,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
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But tariffs have also evolved into a tool deployed by the White House to coerce foreign governments to comply with its broader agenda.—
Shannon K. Kingston,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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As a mother of three children with autoimmune issues, Chevrier said she is forced to shop at specialty stores or make everything from scratch.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
4 May 2025
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So, does something like this become more important to force people to think and, again, put it into the perspective of kids who normally have much more optimism and have the chance to fix what other generations have completely f**ked up?—
Steve Baltin,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
Verb
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Huawei’s networks carry valuable data, which the company is obliged under Chinese intelligence laws to provide at the government’s request.—
Anne Neuberger,
Foreign Affairs,
1 May 2025
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The United States doesn't formally recognize Taiwan's statehood but is obliged to supply the island with defensive arms under the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obligate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligate. Accessed 16 May. 2025.
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