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
Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 2 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
Not every penalty or interest charge will qualify, and the IRS is not obligated to accept every claim that is filed.
—Shlomo Halberstam, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Your bank is legally obligated to comply.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 26 May 2026
Further, in December, Judge Leal issued a tentative ruling on the case, suggesting that Vizio may be obligated to share the Vizio OS source code, but that’s not a final decision.
—ArsTechnica, 20 May 2026
They are obligated to buy the underlying stock at that put's strike price in exchange for the collected premium.
—Oliver Renick, CNBC, 19 May 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
Torre, whose podcast recently won the 2026 Pulitzer Prize in Audio Reporting for coverage of the scandal, reported that Leonard wasn’t obligated to perform actions for payment and that the endorsement deal would end if Leonard was traded.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 2 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
Not every penalty or interest charge will qualify, and the IRS is not obligated to accept every claim that is filed.
—Shlomo Halberstam, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Your bank is legally obligated to comply.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 26 May 2026
Further, in December, Judge Leal issued a tentative ruling on the case, suggesting that Vizio may be obligated to share the Vizio OS source code, but that’s not a final decision.
—ArsTechnica, 20 May 2026
They are obligated to buy the underlying stock at that put's strike price in exchange for the collected premium.
—Oliver Renick, CNBC, 19 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligated
Verb
-
As imperial forces traversed continents, the meanings and uses of these arrivals—whether people, plants, or ideologies— were actively negotiated and reshaped by the societies and environments compelled to contend with them.—
Sophia Rey,
JSTOR Daily,
28 May 2026
-
Large pharmaceutical companies are structurally compelled to acquire.—
Marc Cooper,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
With the indebted companies combining, the immediate ramifications will be greater job losses across both studios.—
Joseph M. Singer,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2026
-
Much of the blame for the JGB rout goes to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s fiscal plans for the most indebted major economy.—
William Pesek,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Today, however, the opposite is true, and they are deliberately displayed as current fashion trends have brought to the surface what was once forced to be hidden.—
Teresa Romero Martínez,
Glamour,
31 May 2026
-
Fueled by large stocks of critically dry vegetation and extreme winds, the fires killed 31 people, destroyed nearly 12,000 homes, and forced over 150,000 evacuations.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
31 May 2026
Adjective
-
Being grateful – expresses sincere appreciation for others’ efforts and contributions, and feels thankful for the things received in life.—
Mary Crossan,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
While supporters of school choice and education reform like myself are grateful for his clashes with the teachers unions at the time, that was also what effectively killed his subsequent efforts at the governorship in 2018 and now 2026.—
Sal Rodriguez,
Oc Register,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Even Lawrence’s admirers felt obliged to distance themselves from the novel.—
Louis Menand,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
Hilton warns conservatives that supporting a rival Republican could lock them out of the November election, while Steyer is spending millions on television ads casting Becerra as beholden to Big Oil, Big Tech and other corporate backers.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
-
If the Fed were to lose its independence, central bankers beholden to political leaders may favor lower interest rates as a means of boosting short-term economic activity and galvanizing public support, some analysts previously told ABC News.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
In the state of Arkansas, lawmakers worked across the aisle on a bold bill that categorizes kids recruited into gangs and coerced into committing crimes as victims.—
Ana Zamora,
Time,
3 June 2026
-
The thoughtlessness with which this bride coerced you into subsidizing her wedding was stunning.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obligated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligated. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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