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

One by one, her companions Sabrina Carpenter, Fergie and Ice Spice obliged, demonstrating that even pop princesses may serve as entertainment when the queen commands. — Bryan West, USA Today, 7 July 2026

In the Netherlands, employers are generally obliged to pay employees on sick leave 70% of their wages for up to two years. — Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 6 July 2026

Michael Hoffman aka Michael Herman Hoffman did this by resigning from the Oregon State Bar in December 2024 and requesting to be essentially disbarred in Florida, which the state Supreme Court obliged on June 25. — David J. Neal july 5, Miami Herald, 5 July 2026

But when the opposition are obliged to come forward and make the running, Argentina are too content to sit deep. — Michael Cox, New York Times, 4 July 2026

Lynch, the former star running back for the Seattle Seahawks and Oakland Raiders, obliged by getting hailed on by a bucket of ice. — Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026

Even with that 2024 ruling and last year’s trial, Rinsch hasn’t paid back Netflix anything, though he still is obliged to. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 29 June 2026

Not everyone is lonely; some women, no longer obliged to marry, are probably happier and freer. — Simon Sebag Montefiore, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026

Charles reveals tax bill By law, the British king is not obliged to pay income, capital gains or inheritance tax, but Charles, like his mother did after 1993, has voluntarily done so without disclosing the amounts. — CNN Money, 26 June 2026