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
Alito asked whether the children of Iranian or Russian or Mexican parents should be considered citizens if they were obligated to serve in the military of those countries because of their parents’ citizenship.
—
Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Those obligated to fast are between the ages of 18 and 59, according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
—Mariyam Muhammad, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Apr. 2026
But with the addition of transfers Josh Derry and Jonathan Bibbs, along with four-star freshman Tyren Hornes, Thomas feels obligated to have a larger voice in the receivers’ room.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
Travelers are obligated to provide passwords when asked so officers can access the device.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obligate
Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Those obligated to fast are between the ages of 18 and 59, according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
—Mariyam Muhammad, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Apr. 2026
But with the addition of transfers Josh Derry and Jonathan Bibbs, along with four-star freshman Tyren Hornes, Thomas feels obligated to have a larger voice in the receivers’ room.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
Travelers are obligated to provide passwords when asked so officers can access the device.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obligate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligate
Verb
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The standstill risk is just over 2% of the current stock price, and in the worst case, one might be compelled to purchase Devon at $40 (plus the $1 premium paid for the spread), or at a ~14% discount to Friday's closing price.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
13 Apr. 2026
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Trump administration officials believe the blockade could compel China to pressure Tehran into making further concessions, following Beijing’s crucial role earlier this month in convincing Iran to accept an initial ceasefire.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Audacity seems to be setting up a deadly confrontation between them, but there’s still some chance JoAnne can be coerced into playing ball with Duncan.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
12 Apr. 2026
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The criminal syndicates refitted their properties as centres where teams of workers – often trafficked and coerced – run online scams at scale.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The idea was to lure visitors in with notions of decadence and frills, and then force them to confront the harsh realities of imperialism, colonialism, and the relentlessness of the fashion cycle.—
Emilia Petrarca,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
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House and Senate Democrats plan to force separate votes in both chambers on Iran war powers resolutions this week.—
John Parkinson,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The astronauts obliged, returning detailed observations of Orientale.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
11 Apr. 2026
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Seeking an opportunity to be a full-time starter, Thompson requested a trade from the organization the following offseason, and general manager Kelly McCrimmon obliged, sending him to Washington.—
Jesse Granger,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obligate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligate. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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