Synonyms of oblige

oblige

verb

ə-ˈblīj 

1

as in to accommodate

to do a service or favor for

I would appreciate it greatly if you could oblige me by bringing a dessert to the party

Synonyms & Similar Words

• accommodate
• appease
• assist
• help
• please
• indulge
• delight
• satisfy
• favor
• placate
• gratify
• aid
• conciliate
• mollify
• pacify
• gladden
• pamper
• coddle
• mollycoddle
• relieve
• humor
• support
• abet
• attend
• comfort
• minister (to)
• succor
• care (for)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• bother
• disturb
• burden
• trouble
• fail
• weigh
• disoblige
• inconvenience
• disappoint
• encumber
• restrain
• hinder
• impede
• incommode
• constrain
• saddle
• oppose
• discommode
• let down
• obstruct
• hamper
• desert
• frustrate
• thwart
• hold back
• hamstring
• sabotage
• hobble

2

as in to compel

to cause (a person) to give in to pressure

I know you're in a hurry, but you can't oblige me to drive any faster than the speed limit

Synonyms & Similar Words

• compel
• coerce
• force
• obligate
• constrain
• drive
• impel
• impress
• pressure
• intimidate
• make
• blackmail
• press
• dragoon
• muscle
• bully
• sandbag
• threaten
• blackjack
• browbeat
• twist one's arm
• bulldoze
• terrorize
• hector
• cow
• drag
• harass
• shame
• menace
• badger
• high-pressure
• hound

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• let
• permit
• allow
• satisfy
• move
• induce
• convince
• argue
• talk (into)
• persuade
• win (over)
• prevail (on or upon)

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

Recent Examples of oblige

Much to Kemper's delight, Nuñez obliges, recreating his iconic scene in the movie, which also starred Ryan Reynolds, Sandra Bullock, and Betty White. —EW.com, 14 May 2025

The war also obliged Pizzaballa to respond to immediate, existential angst about the very question of a shared humanity. —Noga Tarnopolsky, CNN Money, 6 May 2025

So in Game 6, when VanVleet demanded the ball, early and often, his teammates obliged. —Kelly Iko, New York Times, 3 May 2025

So Kelley, co-showrunner John-Henry Butterworth, and Kidman, who plays the enigmatic Russian wellness guru kindly obliged, serving up nine brand new strangers and plenty more drama in a wintry, idyllic retreat. —Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 22 May 2025