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
Brittney Melton, NPR, 23 Feb. 2026
Christians are obligated to fast and abstain on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, as well as fast from meat on Fridays during Lent, according to Catholic Online.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 22 Feb. 2026
Or rather, none of it happens without the Rockies botching the Arenado thing so badly that CEO Dick Monfort and the family felt obligated to take this massive swing to try and replace him.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
According to Dought, the only Roman Catholics who are obligated to fast are people aged 18 to 59.
—Rin Velasco, The Providence Journal, 20 Feb. 2026
You are not obligated to buy just because the landlord offered it to you.
—Gary Singer, Sun Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2026
It is obligated by domestic law to provide Taiwan with sufficient hardware to deter any armed attack from the mainland.
—ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
According to Dought, the only Roman Catholics who are obligated to fast are people aged 18 to 59.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
However, drivers are not legally obligated to submit to a field sobriety test, pre-arrest test or cheek swab, according to the Law Offices of Grech and Parker in Riverside.
—Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 17 Feb. 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
Broadcasters are not obligated to participate in the FCC's initiative, according to Carr's statement.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 23 Feb. 2026
Christians are obligated to fast and abstain on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, as well as fast from meat on Fridays during Lent, according to Catholic Online.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 22 Feb. 2026
Or rather, none of it happens without the Rockies botching the Arenado thing so badly that CEO Dick Monfort and the family felt obligated to take this massive swing to try and replace him.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
According to Dought, the only Roman Catholics who are obligated to fast are people aged 18 to 59.
—Rin Velasco, The Providence Journal, 20 Feb. 2026
You are not obligated to buy just because the landlord offered it to you.
—Gary Singer, Sun Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2026
It is obligated by domestic law to provide Taiwan with sufficient hardware to deter any armed attack from the mainland.
—ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
According to Dought, the only Roman Catholics who are obligated to fast are people aged 18 to 59.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
However, drivers are not legally obligated to submit to a field sobriety test, pre-arrest test or cheek swab, according to the Law Offices of Grech and Parker in Riverside.
—Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 17 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligated
Verb
-
The three largest commercial providers of DNA products – 23andMe, AncestryDNA and MyHeritage – generally prohibit law enforcement access to their genetic data and would release it only if compelled by a warrant or court order.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Despite not having many suggestions, Swonk still feels compelled to document the numbers that suggest not all is well.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The country is the most indebted nation in the world, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of almost 230% in 2025, data from the International Monetary Fund showed, and increased fiscal spending risks piling more debt.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Smith knows Williams made the final call to hire him, but feels most indebted to his new boss.—
Andrew Callahan,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The California case has drawn comparisons to the lawsuits brought against Big Tobacco in the 1990s, which forced a national reckoning over the harms of smoking.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
23 Feb. 2026
-
The Olympics appear to be the merciful conclusion of an adductor muscle injury from last season’s 4 Nations Face-Off that cost him the rest of the regular season last year and forced him to play hurt during the playoffs.—
Chris Kudialis,
Miami Herald,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The fans never got an opportunity to give a grateful goodbye, Pat Riley resigning on an early summer afternoon 36 years ago after the end of a lost season.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he’s received.—
Jason Pham,
StyleCaster,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Its length was its first declaration of disrespect for those obliged to sit through it.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Western Illinois coach obliged, and Wagner made the team.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
19 Feb. 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
-
While titles are not yet being disclosed, the first series is set in a ruthless fashion empire where a desperate young designer is coerced by her stepmother into spying on a notorious playboy CEO.—
Diana Lodderhose,
Deadline,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Over the years, the gaming platform has been at the center of several lawsuits, including one filed last year where a California woman alleged that her teenage son was groomed and coerced to send explicit images on Roblox and Discord.—
Minyvonne Burke,
NBC news,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obligated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligated. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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