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
Relevance
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
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 obligation
To keep his broadcasting and corporate endorsement obligations, Madden built a 3,000-square foot TV stage in the early 1990s that eventually became known as Goal Line.
—
Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 6 Sep. 2025
This is both the privilege of the demos in the modern world and its obligation.
—Ron Scherf, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
Jury duty is a civil obligation, and many of us will be called to serve at least once in our lives.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 5 Sep. 2025
If the initial project is successful, another 150,000 cubic yards can be scooped out, fulfilling a chunk of OCTA’s obligations for sand nourishment.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obligation
Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 6 Sep. 2025
This is both the privilege of the demos in the modern world and its obligation.
—Ron Scherf, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
Jury duty is a civil obligation, and many of us will be called to serve at least once in our lives.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 5 Sep. 2025
If the initial project is successful, another 150,000 cubic yards can be scooped out, fulfilling a chunk of OCTA’s obligations for sand nourishment.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obligation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligation
Noun
-
Camilla wasn't the only royal who had official duties on Thursday.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Detailed occupations in the SOC with similar job duties, skills, education or training are grouped together.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Damon Dash, the once high-flying hip-hop mogul who co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records with Jay-Z and Kareem Burke, has filed for personal bankruptcy in Florida, citing $25 million in debts and almost no assets.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The board has shown little appetite for rigorous capital oversight, leaving the company saddled with $500 million in high-cost debt that continues to drain flexibility.—
Jim Osman,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The responsibility of creating executive departments also rests with Congress.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
-
It is based solely on my responsibility to protect the people of my state and to advocate for the public health of the entire country.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
There are no hard and fast rules regarding the frequency of sweeping, as the floor care needs of each home depend on several different factors.—
Jolie Kerr,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Sep. 2025
-
European officials, by contrast, have consistently emphasized the need to ratchet up sanctions pressure.—
Katya Soldak,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But this long-term commitment is a big move from both parties.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
-
In 2018, the Heat captured the NBA’s inaugural Inclusion Leadership Award for the franchise’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obligation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligation. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share