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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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 beholden The Iranian strike on the American base in Qatar demonstrated how beholden the Gulf Arabs are to the United States despite their efforts to diversify their partnerships. Dina Esfandiary, Time, 1 July 2025 With the passage of Measure G, the position will become a political one, beholden only to voters. Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2025 The growing reliance on federal Medicaid-expansion dollars creates a dangerous cycle in which states become increasingly beholden ... Gary D. Alexander, National Review, 22 Dec. 2024 Trending Here was a child who used the sun of muggy summers to illuminate a dim Game Boy screen, beholden only to the rule of cool. Geoffrey Bunting, Rolling Stone, 5 Oct. 2024 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
  • At the time, the Caribbean nation was heavily indebted to France after being forced to pay restitution for its 1804 independence, and had a small German class dominating its commercial business interests.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 5 Jan. 2026
  • Patrick previously recalled what Gandolfini said to him ahead of the beatdown Tony was going to give the indebted Davey.
    Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Dec. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Beholden.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beholden. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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