1
as in responsibilities
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in debts
something (as money) which is owed
I have to pay off my current obligations before I can buy a new car
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 obligations
Guests with work obligations, caregiving responsibilities or health considerations may not be able to fully disconnect, and most properties offer at least limited emergency communication options.
—
Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 16 May 2026
The Beatles only made three more films, largely to satisfy contractual obligations.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 16 May 2026
The move immediately sparked speculation that the releases may help satisfy contractual obligations connected to his ongoing legal dispute with Universal Music Group.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 15 May 2026
But now, the jury could find that the restructuring was a breach of charitable obligations.
—David Ingram, NBC news, 15 May 2026
Which customers have enough supplier diversity if one supplier can’t meet its obligations?
—Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Game days can be filled with multiple obligations for work, not to mention any personal tasks.
—Jason Jones, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Later, the Moon squares the Sun and may test timing or obligations, but do not let that dim momentum.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2026
The city says the survey is just one of several factors informing the mayor’s budget decisions — with others including legal obligations, economic conditions, departmental needs and the city’s responsibility to maintain services like public safety, infrastructure and homelessness response.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2026
Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 16 May 2026
The Beatles only made three more films, largely to satisfy contractual obligations.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 16 May 2026
The move immediately sparked speculation that the releases may help satisfy contractual obligations connected to his ongoing legal dispute with Universal Music Group.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 15 May 2026
But now, the jury could find that the restructuring was a breach of charitable obligations.
—David Ingram, NBC news, 15 May 2026
Which customers have enough supplier diversity if one supplier can’t meet its obligations?
—Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Game days can be filled with multiple obligations for work, not to mention any personal tasks.
—Jason Jones, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Later, the Moon squares the Sun and may test timing or obligations, but do not let that dim momentum.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2026
The city says the survey is just one of several factors informing the mayor’s budget decisions — with others including legal obligations, economic conditions, departmental needs and the city’s responsibility to maintain services like public safety, infrastructure and homelessness response.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligations
Noun
-
Rather than romanticizing the awards-season whirlwind, Coon described the logistical reality behind it that includes 18-hour days, early-morning events, parenting responsibilities and the invisible labor required to sustain a performing career.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
18 May 2026
-
Sandweg said one of the director's most underappreciated responsibilities is managing that internal fault line, ensuring that ERO's highly visible arrest operations do not undermine HSI's ability to cultivate the confidential informants and foreign partnerships on which its work depends.—
Philip Wang,
Time,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
During the boom, many developers amassed huge debts, and the oversupply of housing led to whole ghost districts and empty projects in many places.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
-
Or maybe all McIlroy’s bad juju this week will call in its debts, and this week at Aronimink will end in a whimper.—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Fire engineers are typically responsible for maintaining fire engines and other equipment, driving fire engines, and connecting hoses to hydrants and other water sources, in addition to standard firefighter duties.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
-
Away from tarmac, the CX-5 is capable enough for light off-road duties.—
Matthew MacConnell,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Some strategists also point to fallout from the unpopular war in Iran and Trump’s attacks on members of his own party as possible liabilities for Republicans.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
20 May 2026
-
Since that original report, the liabilities associated with the AI race have soared even higher.—
David Trainer,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
Mental-health support is often discussed in broad terms, but meaningful progress happens when care is local, comprehensive and responsive to the unique needs of individuals and families.—
Maria Bledsoe,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 May 2026
-
Arrests and citations do nothing to address these needs.—
Shianne LeClaire,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
On Sunday, the White House released a fact sheet detailing how China would purchase at least $17 billion of agricultural products, on top of soybean purchase commitments made in October 2025.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
-
But Xi did not make any commitments publicly.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obligations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligations. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
