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
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
Jan Ellen Spiegel, Hartford Courant, 8 Aug. 2025
Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 9 June 2026
The motion to dismiss, filed in March, argued that Redd wasn’t contractually obligated to perform.
—Melissa Goldin, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026
The motion to dismiss, filed in March, argued that Redd wasn't contractually obligated to perform.
—ABC News, 6 June 2026
Brady argued he wasn’t contractually obligated to turn over his personal phone.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 4 June 2026
Previously, the marathon was obligated to finish by an earlier time, McCarty said, to ensure no runners were on the train tracks when the Union Pacific trains passed through.
—Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026
The company adds that any funding would be phased over time, and that the other party is not obligated to proceed.
—Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 3 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
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
And not only is the government legally obligated to allow for comments on the rule, they are also obliged to respond.
—Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 9 June 2026
The motion to dismiss, filed in March, argued that Redd wasn’t contractually obligated to perform.
—Melissa Goldin, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026
The motion to dismiss, filed in March, argued that Redd wasn't contractually obligated to perform.
—ABC News, 6 June 2026
Brady argued he wasn’t contractually obligated to turn over his personal phone.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 4 June 2026
Previously, the marathon was obligated to finish by an earlier time, McCarty said, to ensure no runners were on the train tracks when the Union Pacific trains passed through.
—Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026
The company adds that any funding would be phased over time, and that the other party is not obligated to proceed.
—Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 3 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
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
-
The charging documents showed that Lunn restrained the victim in a bear hug, pinning her arms to her sides, and forced her to the ground behind a quad bench in an overgrown garden area.—
CBS Baltimore Staff,
CBS News,
7 June 2026
-
The disparity has forced Goldman into the awkward position of defending a seat he’s held for two terms by running, at least in part, as the outsider.—
Russell Berman,
The Atlantic,
7 June 2026
Adjective
-
There’s that word again, grateful.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
-
Chicago is grateful for his service.—
Victor Jacobo,
CBS News,
7 June 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
-
Hyperscalers — like the chip sector beholden to the big artificial intelligence trend — shrugged off the Broadcom situation.—
Tobias Burns,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
-
The other contends that appointments leave judges beholden to politicians, and says voters should have a voice.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
3 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 11 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
