as in forcing
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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Recent Examples of obligating
The unions argue that carrying out permanent layoffs during a funding lapse violates the Antideficiency Act, which bars agencies from obligating funds without congressional authorization, and exceeds executive authority under the Administrative Procedure Act.
—
Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
This document, signed by a sponsor, is a legally enforceable contract obligating the sponsor to support the immigrant and prevent them from relying on public aid.
—Daniel Shoer Roth, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
The following year, legislation was passed formally designating these problems as matters of national concern and obligating local governments to implement countermeasures.
—Gil Press, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Killborn said he was told by CBS’ legal team that the segment would implicate an FCC rule obligating stations to offer comparable time to political candidates.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
This document, signed by a sponsor, is a legally enforceable contract obligating the sponsor to support the immigrant and prevent them from relying on public aid.
—Daniel Shoer Roth, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
The following year, legislation was passed formally designating these problems as matters of national concern and obligating local governments to implement countermeasures.
—Gil Press, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Killborn said he was told by CBS’ legal team that the segment would implicate an FCC rule obligating stations to offer comparable time to political candidates.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligating
Verb
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Clark finished with 21 points, forcing Toronto to respect her scoring ability and preventing defenders from keying solely on her passing.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
17 June 2026
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The Saudis should be thrilled with the draw, as favored Uruguay, La Celeste, dominated large patches of the match with 67 percent overall possession, a 10-3 margin in shots, 14-4 in corner kicks, more than double the accurate passes and forcing nine saves of the busy Saudi goalkeeper.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
16 June 2026
Verb
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Travis Reed, who was a fire captain with the now-defunct Briar Volunteer Fire Department, admitted to coercing a minor into producing child pornography in September, according to a summary of facts in the case.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 June 2026
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The Justice Against Weaponized Bureaucratic Overreach to Networked Expression Act would prohibit federal agencies and employees from coercing or trying to coerce broadcasters and providers of online services or AI services into changing content.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
11 June 2026
Verb
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The surge in chip investment and demand has reignited economic growth and inflation, compelling the Bank of Korea (BOK) to consider aggressive rate hikes.—
Dara-Abasi Ita,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
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Selaocoe extends that feeling after the song ends by once again compelling the audience to join him in song.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
The Swedish parliament on Monday adopted a law obliging public sector workers to report to the police any migrants who are not authorized to live in Sweden.—
Claudia Ciobanu,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
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The incident triggered a fire alarm, obliging the entire French delegation — some of whom were still in their pyjamas — to evacuate the building.—
Tom Williams,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obligating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligating. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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