as in compelled
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of obligated
Jan Ellen Spiegel, Hartford Courant, 8 Aug. 2025
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2026
Trump is not obligated to participate in the IEA’s release of reserves, said Bob McNally, president of Rapidan Energy Group.
—Spencer Kimball,pippa Stevens, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2026
Because of her military background, Matthews also feels obligated to respond directly to phone calls from veterans who seem to be in some kind of mental or physical distress, and to try to talk them through their concerns.
—Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2026
The same day, Weber’s office argued that the Secretary of State is not obligated to enforce the residency requirement.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 10 Mar. 2026
If it is now widely accepted that truthful portrayals of war are both technically and morally impossible, what are artists still obligated to picture in this moment when war is proliferating across the globe?
—Hanlu Zhang, Artforum, 10 Mar. 2026
The importer of record is legally obligated to write the check before a single product can be sold.
—Sara Albrecht, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
Congress wouldn't vote to give him the permission to do it, but he's obligated to come to Congress.
—CBS News, 1 Mar. 2026
Civilian city staff often receive raises as well — but the city is not obligated to provide them.
—Austin Sanders, Austin American Statesman, 1 Mar. 2026
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
Verb
Tuesday night provided the opportunity for a moment and Erik Spoelstra was just and obligated to live in that moment.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2026
Trump is not obligated to participate in the IEA’s release of reserves, said Bob McNally, president of Rapidan Energy Group.
—Spencer Kimball,pippa Stevens, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2026
Because of her military background, Matthews also feels obligated to respond directly to phone calls from veterans who seem to be in some kind of mental or physical distress, and to try to talk them through their concerns.
—Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2026
The same day, Weber’s office argued that the Secretary of State is not obligated to enforce the residency requirement.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 10 Mar. 2026
If it is now widely accepted that truthful portrayals of war are both technically and morally impossible, what are artists still obligated to picture in this moment when war is proliferating across the globe?
—Hanlu Zhang, Artforum, 10 Mar. 2026
The importer of record is legally obligated to write the check before a single product can be sold.
—Sara Albrecht, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
Congress wouldn't vote to give him the permission to do it, but he's obligated to come to Congress.
—CBS News, 1 Mar. 2026
Civilian city staff often receive raises as well — but the city is not obligated to provide them.
—Austin Sanders, Austin American Statesman, 1 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligated
Verb
-
This year, Israelis were compelled by circumstance to celebrate Purim in or near their bomb shelters.—
Michael M. Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
-
With former swing tackle Yosh Nijman retiring Wednesday, the Panthers were compelled to look elsewhere for Ekwonu insurance.—
Mike Kaye
Updated March 13,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The sounds here are largely indebted to the wave of Eurodance that crossed the oceans in the late 1990s and early 2000s.—
Reanna Cruz,
Pitchfork,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Where the risks turn greater is if bond yields rise enough to hurt the US economy and to negatively affect the refinancing ability of highly indebted companies that use private market lending.—
Edward Harrison,
Bloomberg,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Young people have the right to think for themselves rather than having conservative extremism forced upon them in class.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Fuel shortages have forced authorities to impose rolling electricity outages across the country and limit some public services.—
Jarrett Renshaw,
USA Today,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Both Rodriguez and Busbee remain grateful for the support that Santiago Canyon College provides for veterans.—
Larry D. Urish,
Oc Register,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Richard is grateful for the support.—
David Begnaud,
CBS News,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This last image was already ripe for parody decades ago, and Koos Kombuis obliged in his 1980 song Kaalvoet (Barefoot), sending the trekkers over the mountains with picnic hampers, polony, and their sneakers (takkies) forgotten at home.—
Jan Steyn,
The Dial,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The state felt obliged to make up the difference.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Pentagon has shelled out nearly $5 billion over the past year to help ensure its access to the materials after the trade war laid bare just how beholden the U.S. is to China.—
Didi Tang,
Fortune,
4 Feb. 2026
-
But Netanyahu was beholden for his political future to the radical minority that supported it, and constantly catered to their whims.—
Yair Rosenberg,
The Atlantic,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
However, in early 2026, Banegas claimed his attorneys coerced him into pleading guilty and sought to change his plea.—
Joan Murray,
CBS News,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Two similar situated individuals, both coerced to commit a murder have a different sentencing structure.—
Livi Stanford,
Hartford Courant,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obligated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligated. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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