Synonym Chooser

How is the word oblige different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of oblige are coerce, compel, constrain, and force. While all these words mean "to make someone or something yield," oblige implies the constraint of necessity, law, or duty.

felt obliged to go

When would coerce be a good substitute for oblige?

Although the words coerce and oblige have much in common, coerce suggests overcoming resistance or unwillingness by actual or threatened violence or pressure.

coerced into signing over the rights

When might compel be a better fit than oblige?

The words compel and oblige can be used in similar contexts, but compel typically suggests overcoming of resistance or unwillingness by an irresistible force.

compelled to admit my mistake

When can constrain be used instead of oblige?

The meanings of constrain and oblige largely overlap; however, constrain suggests the effect of a force or circumstance that limits freedom of action or choice.

constrained by conscience

Where would force be a reasonable alternative to oblige?

While the synonyms force and oblige are close in meaning, force is the general term and implies the overcoming of resistance by the exertion of strength, power, or duress.

forced to flee for their lives

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 oblige Ergen, who had been buying up spectrum licenses since 2008, was best positioned to oblige. Monica Hunter-Hart, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025 Ian obliges and books the band. Rob Reiner, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2025 McKee, ever the lotion loyalist, happily obliged. Zach Berman, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025 Even talking about the royal family is fraught with risk, as complaints can be filed by anyone, from officials to members of the public, and police are obliged to investigate cases. Helen Regan, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for oblige
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oblige
Verb
  • Bayrou had argued that young people in France are being burdened with years of debt to accommodate boomers.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The Lovevook Tote features a padded laptop compartment and multiple interior pockets, accommodating everything from a wallet to lip gloss.
    Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Yet these productions are increasingly designed around an ethos of visual-over-depth that compels us to immediately document and post each scene.
    David Hochman, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • One way lawsuits can generate this pressure is through the discovery process, which compels companies to turn over internal documents, and could shed insight into what executives knew about safety risks or marketing harms.
    Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Spin-Off and Beyond Holliday’s popularity was so immense (and to potentially appease Linda Lavin), CBS gave her a spinoff, Flo, which ran for two seasons (1980–81) and earned her another Golden Globe nomination.
    Marc Berman, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • What we’ve been taught to call intimacy—caretaking, appeasing, overfunctioning—is just codependency.
    Vanessa Bennett, SELF, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Investigators allege that Hernandez coerced at least five minors into participating in the production of child pornography on at least seven occasions, consistent with the seven charges.
    Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Never use someone’s dream to coerce them into a relationship.
    J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In the 34th minute, Toklomati scored from the center of the box, assisted by Kerwin Vargas and Ashley Westwood.
    Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 14 Sep. 2025
  • While police are prohibited by law from assisting in immigration enforcement, officers have in the past been called to guarantee the safety of the public and agents.
    Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • France’s government has collapsed after a vote of no confidence on Monday, forcing Prime Minister Francois Bayrou out of office after just nine months on the job.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Quarterback Brock Purdy, who delivered a clutch, game-winning drive after throwing two interceptions, has a bad shoulder and toe that could force him to miss Week 2.
    Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Supporters argue the task force helped modernize parts of the justice system and address racial disparities.
    Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Under captain Eric Brown, the GB&I team was even instructed not to help opponents search for lost balls.
    Tim Corlett, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • Torre reports that Leonard was apparently not obligated to perform actions for payment and that the endorsement deal would end if Leonard was traded.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 5 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Oblige.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oblige. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

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