1
as in duty
something one must do because of prior agreement
their financial obligations keep them from giving to charities as much as they would like
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in debt
something (as money) which is owed
I have to pay off my current obligations before I can buy a new car
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of obligation
The wheel tax increase is an effort to address the fiscal pressures the city is under due to pension obligations and wage increases.
—
Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Kering and L’Oréal also said jointly at the time that Kering’s obligations would be respected regarding the existing license agreement.
—Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 7 Nov. 2025
All 16 petitions came from eight refineries regarding obligations for compliance years 2021-2024.
—Callie Patteson, The Washington Examiner, 7 Nov. 2025
And every year, there is talk about raising taxes to pay for those obligations.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obligation
Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Kering and L’Oréal also said jointly at the time that Kering’s obligations would be respected regarding the existing license agreement.
—Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 7 Nov. 2025
All 16 petitions came from eight refineries regarding obligations for compliance years 2021-2024.
—Callie Patteson, The Washington Examiner, 7 Nov. 2025
And every year, there is talk about raising taxes to pay for those obligations.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obligation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligation
Noun
-
The two attorneys made a slew of arguments to defend their position, including that the pair of lawmakers did not have legal standing to bring a suit related to their official duties in the first place.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
10 Jan. 2026
-
An off-duty Naperville police officer witnessed the crash and pulled the driver out of the Tesla.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Opponents raised concerns about the cost of new construction and long-term debt, arguing that renovations could have addressed the library’s deficiencies.—
Daniel Hunt,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
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In March 2025, xAI acquired X at a valuation of $45 billion, including debt, just over two years after Musk had purchased what was then known as Twitter for $44 billion.—
Diana Leyva,
Nashville Tennessean,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Bison have carried their stories, teachings, and responsibilities for centuries.—
Marissa Perlman,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
-
By 2030, the company expects Atlas to take on more complex responsibilities, including repetitive and heavy-load assembly work.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Get ready for hunting season by browsing over 40 vendors selling a variety of goods for all your fishing and outdoor needs.—
Caroline Ritzie,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Jan. 2026
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The request for additional money was made after underground utility and other site placement needs were identified while designing a new floor plan.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
None of these commitments have been honored.—
Kim Aris,
Time,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The announcement includes a commitment from both companies to sell the starting dose of new oral GLP-1 drugs for about $150; the higher doses for Eli Lilly’s drug will be capped at $399.—
Nicholas Florko,
The Atlantic,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obligation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligation. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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