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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Recent Examples of obligate
The company adds that any funding would be phased over time, and that the other party is not obligated to proceed.
—
Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 3 June 2026
In an earlier impact assessment, the state estimated that 5,700 would be obligated to do so.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 1 June 2026
Prosecutors are obligated to provide both sides of a case, the attorneys said.
—City News Service, Oc Register, 29 May 2026
Even if some city leaders believe that the terms of JUMA are overly favorable to the Padres, the team is not obligated to absorb more expenses to help the city address its shortfall The Padres are surely going to point out the team’s large economic impact on the region.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for obligate
Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 3 June 2026
In an earlier impact assessment, the state estimated that 5,700 would be obligated to do so.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 1 June 2026
Prosecutors are obligated to provide both sides of a case, the attorneys said.
—City News Service, Oc Register, 29 May 2026
Even if some city leaders believe that the terms of JUMA are overly favorable to the Padres, the team is not obligated to absorb more expenses to help the city address its shortfall The Padres are surely going to point out the team’s large economic impact on the region.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for obligate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligate
Verb
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One of the things that really compelled me about this season was Sam has not sensationalized the important issues of drug use.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
1 June 2026
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This exercise compels you to step out of automatic thinking and broaden your strategic vision.—
Veronica Angela,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
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The attorney general's office said Soto used false promises and drugs to coerce women into prostitution.—
Madeline Bartos,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
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The thoughtlessness with which this bride coerced you into subsidizing her wedding was stunning.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
23 May 2026
Verb
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The disparity has forced Goldman into the awkward position of defending a seat he’s held for two terms by running, at least in part, as the outsider.—
Russell Berman,
The Atlantic,
7 June 2026
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Firefighters battled a nearly 1,200-acre brush fire burning in a remote area near the Los Angeles-Kern County line that temporarily forced evacuation orders and warnings for people living nearby.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
7 June 2026
Verb
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At the heart of Le Parc’s immersive, interactive and multi-sensory works was the viewer experience in contrast to art for a passive audience maintained at arm’s length and obliged to accept an artist’s propositions.—
Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
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Even Lawrence’s admirers felt obliged to distance themselves from the novel.—
Louis Menand,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obligate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligate. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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