Synonyms of obliged

obliged 1 of 2

adjective

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

• obligated
• indebted
• grateful
• bounden
• beholden
• thankful
• appreciative

2

as in thankful

feeling or expressing gratitude

I'd be much obliged if you could do me this favor

Synonyms & Similar Words

• thankful
• appreciative
• grateful
• glad
• indebted
• delighted
• appreciatory
• thanking
• beholden
• pleased
• satisfied
• contented
• gratified
• tickled

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ungrateful
• unappreciative
• thankless
• rude
• thoughtless
• inappreciative
• inhospitable
• ungracious

obliged

2 of 2

verb

past tense of oblige

1

as in delighted

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

• delighted
• pleased
• accommodated
• appeased
• satisfied
• indulged
• favored
• helped
• assisted
• humored
• aided
• gratified
• relieved
• placated
• pampered
• conciliated
• mollified
• comforted
• supported
• gladdened
• pacified
• coddled
• abetted
• attended
• mollycoddled
• succored
• ministered (to)
• cared (for)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• bothered
• disturbed
• failed
• troubled
• inconvenienced
• burdened
• weighed
• disappointed
• saddled
• encumbered
• disobliged
• constrained
• deserted
• opposed
• incommoded
• restrained
• hampered
• impeded
• hindered
• let down
• obstructed
• discommoded
• hobbled
• held back
• frustrated
• thwarted
• sabotaged
• hamstrung

2

as in compelled

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

• compelled
• forced
• obligated
• coerced
• pressured
• drove
• impelled
• constrained
• impressed
• pressed
• dragooned
• blackmailed
• intimidated
• made
• sandbagged
• muscled
• blackjacked
• bullied
• threatened
• cowed
• hectored
• browbeat
• twisted one's arm
• shamed
• dragged
• badgered
• menaced
• bulldozed
• terrorized
• harassed
• hounded
• high-pressured

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• let
• permitted
• allowed
• convinced
• moved
• satisfied
• induced
• argued
• won (over)
• persuaded
• talked (into)
• prevailed (on or upon)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of obliged

Verb

Present and correct, just in smaller quantities than previously, and now obliged to make polite conversation with Alexandra Champalimaud’s additions. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Mar. 2026

The difference is that, while Carolyn struggles to define herself against expectation, John has always obliged expectation. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026

Digital services are also obliged to implement an effective age verification mechanism that goes beyond self-declaration that the user is over 18 to protect them from accessing inappropriate or prohibited material. —ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026

With key sources of data halted, researchers, advocates and others have had to rely on information the administration is obliged to report or that has come to light through legal action. —Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026

By 2006, the French Open obliged, and by 2007, Wimbledon followed suit. —Devon Henderson, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2026

The state felt obliged to make up the difference. —George Skelton, Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2026

This last image was already ripe for parody decades ago, and Koos Kombuis obliged in his 1980 song Kaalvoet (Barefoot), sending the trekkers over the mountains with picnic hampers, polony, and their sneakers (takkies) forgotten at home. —Jan Steyn, The Dial, 10 Mar. 2026

No one is obliged to be beautiful, and no one who fails to be is worth any less. —Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 7 Mar. 2026