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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 obligate
For one thing, they are typically obligated, by the venture-capital firms that fund them, to grow as quickly as possible.
—
Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 27 Oct. 2025
Usually the artist will feel obligated to give the audience a breather with at least a couple songs that deal with something other than the central rupture, or which flash forward to assure everyone that the singer is doing all right and healing up, thank you, post-split.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 26 Oct. 2025
The loss could reduce services, force staff layoffs and even lead to closures, all while increasing the number of uninsured patients that these clinics are legally obligated to serve regardless of their ability to pay.
—Cathie Anderson, Sacbee.com, 24 Oct. 2025
After the Acting City Attorney Christopher Creech explained that the city manager and the city attorney are obligated to share their opinion about a potential violation of code, Barbadillo suggested that both the city manager and the city attorney should face a performance evaluation.
—Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obligate
Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 27 Oct. 2025
Usually the artist will feel obligated to give the audience a breather with at least a couple songs that deal with something other than the central rupture, or which flash forward to assure everyone that the singer is doing all right and healing up, thank you, post-split.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 26 Oct. 2025
The loss could reduce services, force staff layoffs and even lead to closures, all while increasing the number of uninsured patients that these clinics are legally obligated to serve regardless of their ability to pay.
—Cathie Anderson, Sacbee.com, 24 Oct. 2025
After the Acting City Attorney Christopher Creech explained that the city manager and the city attorney are obligated to share their opinion about a potential violation of code, Barbadillo suggested that both the city manager and the city attorney should face a performance evaluation.
—Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obligate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligate
Verb
-
Illinois has joined other states in suing the federal government to compel the continuation of SNAP payments during the shutdown, arguing that state programs can't fill the gap on their own.—
Olivianna Calmes,
FOXNews.com,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Democrats continue to withhold their votes on government funding, trying to compel Republicans to negotiate with them on health care.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Detectives even allegedly coerced Rosie into signing a document implicating Frank Jordano and his father, Iorlando Jordano.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Xi will likely continue using Beijing’s stranglehold on critical minerals to coerce the United States and others.—
Mira Rapp-Hooper,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto shut the door, forcing a game-ending double play and earning his third win of the series.—
Kevin Dotson,
CNN Money,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Rojas, a light-hitting infielder, hit an unexpected home run in the ninth inning of Game Seven to tie it and force extra innings, when the Dodgers won it.—
Steve Futterman,
NPR,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Abbott was happy to oblige, and the first buses were soon on their way to Manhattan.—
Molly Ball,
Time,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Kelce obliged and took a seat at the outdoor ESPN set at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obligate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligate. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share