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
Federal law doesn’t impose any obligation on private gun sellers to identify the buyer, conduct a background check or keep any record of the sale, Chittum said.
—
Josh Campbell, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2025
The Tigers traded for starting pitchers Chris Paddack and Charlie Morton, as well as fulfilling their obligation to add some relievers by acquiring Kyle Finnegan, Paul Sewald, Rafael Montero, Codi Heuer and Randy Dobnak.
—Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025
The Texas Data Privacy and Security Act, which went into effect in July, creates transparency and disclosure obligations on the collection of consumer data.
—Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Under this doctrine, consistent and general state practice, when coupled with a sense of legal obligation, crystallizes into binding legal norms.
—Majeed Javdani, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for obligation
Josh Campbell, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2025
The Tigers traded for starting pitchers Chris Paddack and Charlie Morton, as well as fulfilling their obligation to add some relievers by acquiring Kyle Finnegan, Paul Sewald, Rafael Montero, Codi Heuer and Randy Dobnak.
—Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025
The Texas Data Privacy and Security Act, which went into effect in July, creates transparency and disclosure obligations on the collection of consumer data.
—Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Under this doctrine, consistent and general state practice, when coupled with a sense of legal obligation, crystallizes into binding legal norms.
—Majeed Javdani, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for obligation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligation
Noun
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Its three secondary duties would be (1) domestic competition; (2) international competitiveness; and (3) investment.—
Chris Deubert,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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So where is Adriana just a few short hours later when duty calls?—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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However, other forms of debt on your personal balance sheet should be avoided at all costs.—
Jonathan I. Shenkman,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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The nonprofit acquires the debts from hospital systems and providers, with $100 typically buying $10,000 worth of medical debt, Sesso said.—
Beth Warren,
The Tennessean,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Policymakers cannot kick the can of responsibility for grid upgrades down the road or hope for a savior from the private sector.—
Ariel Cohen,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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Love could intertwine with domestic responsibilities.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Instead, a spokesperson for the department instead stressed the need for stability in the West Bank.—
Oren Liebermann,
CNN Money,
14 Aug. 2025
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The need for an athletic midfielder and perhaps a reliable goalkeeper remains but this now feels like a squad with enough depth for a no-European-games campaign.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Without such a commitment from his allies, Zelensky has argued that Ukraine cannot agree to any peace deal, because it would be based on little more than Putin’s word.—
Simon Shuster,
Time,
19 Aug. 2025
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However, success requires both technical expertise and a commitment to continuing to learn and grow as a leader, developing emotional intelligence, strategic thinking and business acumen.—
Mary Elizabeth Bradford,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obligation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligation. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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