obliged 1 of 2

1
as in obligated
being under obligation for a favor or gift my new neighbor gave me a Christmas present, and now I feel obliged to reciprocate

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2

obliged

2 of 2

verb

past tense of oblige

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 obliged
Verb
Tzolis obliged, playing it into him, but the gesture proved a classic case of misdirection. Jack Lang, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026 Gearheads had been waiting for the ‘Vette to go mid-engined for decades, and finally, Chevy obliged. Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 3 Sep. 2026 Even if there is some doubt about the viability of the Golden Dome, Russian and Chinese officials are obliged to take it seriously. Jeffrey Lewis, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026 There’s also a June 4 deadline for the expiration of a deal, with Paramount obliged to pay a $7 billion termination fee. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2026 Like most neighborhood kids, Wang was obliged to help with household chores after class, especially churning soymilk by endlessly hauling his uncle’s giant stone mill around. Charlie Campbell, Time, 18 Aug. 2026 Grandparents transfer cultural values and practical wisdom to other family members, while younger family members are obliged to take care of their elders as time goes by. Kaitlyn Gomez, Charlotte Observer, 17 Aug. 2026 Smotrich says the ultra-Orthodox should be obliged to serve, but that arresting them would create division. Reuters, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2026 What changes from one announcement to the next is who is obliged to deliver it. Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obliged
Adjective
  • The spokesperson did not respond to specific questions including what the legal basis would be for rescinding obligated funding.
    Jan Ellen Spiegel, Hartford Courant, 8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Collier said the school district is thankful local leaders stepped in to negotiate with the Plaza’s owners and create a better deal for schools.
    Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 25 Aug. 2026
  • So thankful to Alabama Athletics for refuting it on my behalf.
    CBS News, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • She was delighted by the story and assured me that had Bernard seen Eddie decapitate his work for a laugh, he would have been doubled over alongside my father.
    Jesse McLaren, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026
  • That opening-day land in Disney’s Animal Kingdom delighted families for 28 years, but officially closed in February 2026 to make way for an entirely new Tropical Americas land.
    Julie Tremaine, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Why are certain people compelled toward any of these reckless, perilous, barely possible feats?
    Guy Lodge, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Some were excellent in ways that surprised me and compelled me to see more, some were familiar or forgettable, and others even at just a few minutes in length felt unbearably long.
    Brian Welk, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Din-Mbuh, a senior defensive tackle from Aledo, was appreciative of playing in front of hometown fans on an international stage and also had a message for the Tar Heels.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Residents, even those appreciative for Congresswoman Frederica Wilson’s 15-year tenure, are ready for a change.
    Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
Verb
  • The manner in which Marcos Llorente’s opener for Atletico transpired would not have pleased Andoni Iraola, even if the Spaniard needs time for his team to understand his out-of-possession demands.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Morgan’s resolute denials pleased his family and friends, but in fact he was deeply rattled.
    Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • But the truth of it is that Sharaa forced his hand by seizing swathes of the SDF’s territory in a lightning offensive in January.
    The Week UK, TheWeek, 6 Sep. 2026
  • In 1963, Gloria Steinem went undercover for a journalism assignment as a Playboy bunny, exposing degrading working conditions that forced policy changes.
    Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • This made me, Wing and Wing's videographer Mike Dunn very grateful.
    Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2026
  • If nothing else, Scream 4 is a re-entrance to the franchise and Wes Craven’s last directing effort, which is something to be grateful for.
    Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Obliged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obliged. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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