Definition of beholdennext
as in obligated
being under obligation for a favor or gift not wanting to be beholden to anyone, he insisted on paying his own way

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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 beholden Xi may use the increasingly lopsided relationship between the two – with the Russian economy heavily beholden to China – to push for wins for Beijing in energy cooperation at time when conflict in the Middle East is squeezing Beijing’s access to crude oil. Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 20 May 2026 Being able to shave a half-hour or more off the usual running time is a function of being a streaming-only show that isn’t beholden to all the commercials of a network show. Chris Willman, Variety, 17 May 2026 So whoever is elected is going to be beholden to the money, which is going to be the issues that are in the rich part of this county, not the Memphis area. Stephen Fowler, NPR, 15 May 2026 This was a foundational philosophical commitment — one that is only possible when a project isn’t beholden to shareholders or a profit model. Zachary Utz, STAT, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for beholden
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beholden
Adjective
  • The spokesperson did not respond to specific questions including what the legal basis would be for rescinding obligated funding.
    Jan Ellen Spiegel, Hartford Courant, 8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • With the indebted companies combining, the immediate ramifications will be greater job losses across both studios.
    Joseph M. Singer, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026
  • Much of the blame for the JGB rout goes to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s fiscal plans for the most indebted major economy.
    William Pesek, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Beholden.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beholden. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.

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