OBLIGATED Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

obligated 1 of 2

adjective

as in obliged

being under obligation for a favor or gift we have been their guests so many times that we feel obligated to return their hospitality

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obligated

2 of 2

verb

past tense of obligate

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

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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 obligated

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

Last year, the City of South Miami asked a judge to determine whether municipalities were obligated to join. — Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026 The government has obligated $50 million for the first 12 months of work. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2026 This is also a new norm; other smart glasses or AI hardware companies aren’t obligated to signal this intent in the same way as Meta. — Victoria Song, The Verge, 6 Oct. 2026 Doctors are expected to process a prescription within 24 – 72 hours, but are not legally obligated to. — Esha Desai, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026 This means structured challenge processes, anonymous concern-raising channels and explicit mandates that directors are obligated to question strategy regardless of personal loyalty to the chair or the CEO. — Albana Vrioni, Forbes.com, 28 Sep. 2026 We are obligated to assist all of those who are harmed in those incidents. — CBS News, 27 Sep. 2026 The United States is obligated by law to provide Taiwan with sufficient hardware to deter any armed attack from the mainland. — Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026 Investors will pay close attention to SCA commentary as a window into a portion of future revenues that customers are contractually obligated to pay regardless of market conditions. — Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligated

Adjective

Investors are closely watching the government's next moves in a highly indebted country where street anger has often been tamed with more state spending.

— Makini Brice, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
Sanon’s lawyers argue instead that their client, whom prosecutors portray as a deeply indebted man hoping to replace Moïse through a violent overthrow of his government, had nothing to do with the assassination.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of indebted

Verb

When the drummer was compelled the leave the stage Thursday in Tulsa, there was some confusion during an approximate 25-minute break before the music resumed with Journey’s drum tech, Steve Toomey, taking over.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
The Fifth Amendment generally protects government employees from having statements that are compelled under threat of losing their jobs used against them in a criminal prosecution.

— Matt Peterson,Luke Fountain, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of compelled

Adjective

Still, after months of often contentious dialogue with government officials, local producers are grateful that both sides have found a way through the impasse.

— Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
For all his success over the years, the Dodgers are grateful that Díaz did not insist upon returning as a closer.

— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of grateful

Verb

Not entirely uneventful, however, as UCLA forced another fumble and picked off Raiola again, ultimately leading coach Dan Lanning to go with Thomas to begin the fourth quarter.

— Elias Esquivel, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
Another issue forced another Mora explosion, as captured (again) by the TV crew.

— Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of forced

Verb

Doe alleges in her lawsuit that she was coerced into using drugs before the assault.

— Rebecca Schneid, Time, 6 Oct. 2026
They were coerced into signing a non-disclosure agreement that prevented them from ever exposing the details of what happened, and at whose hands.

— Gretchen Carlson, New York Daily News, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of coerced

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“Obligated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligated. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of obligated

adjective

verb

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