1
2
as in thankful
feeling or expressing gratitude
I'd be much obliged if you could do me this favor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of obliged
Mike Wall, Space.com, 11 Apr. 2026
Seeking an opportunity to be a full-time starter, Thompson requested a trade from the organization the following offseason, and general manager Kelly McCrimmon obliged, sending him to Washington.
—Jesse Granger, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2026
Arensberg was also a board member of the Society of Independent Artists (as was Duchamp) and thus obliged to answer for Fountain.
—Howard Halle, ARTnews.com, 10 Apr. 2026
While Kadir insist on living out his dream, his wife Azize is obliged to keep the household together and secure a good future for her children.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 8 Apr. 2026
Employers are now also obliged to provide maternity, paternity and paid sick leave from the moment an employee joins.
—Ian King, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2026
Like Ash Wednesday, Good Friday is a day where Catholics are obliged to fast and stay abstinent throughout the day until midnight.
—Mariyam Muhammad, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Apr. 2026
The famously-shy sophomore obliged, several of her teammates whipping out their phones to record the big moment.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 1 Apr. 2026
The countries that are party to the CMS are legally obliged to protect species listed as at risk of extinction, conserve and restore their habitats, prevent obstacles to migration and cooperate with other range states.
—CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
The astronauts obliged, returning detailed observations of Orientale.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 11 Apr. 2026
Seeking an opportunity to be a full-time starter, Thompson requested a trade from the organization the following offseason, and general manager Kelly McCrimmon obliged, sending him to Washington.
—Jesse Granger, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2026
Arensberg was also a board member of the Society of Independent Artists (as was Duchamp) and thus obliged to answer for Fountain.
—Howard Halle, ARTnews.com, 10 Apr. 2026
While Kadir insist on living out his dream, his wife Azize is obliged to keep the household together and secure a good future for her children.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 8 Apr. 2026
Employers are now also obliged to provide maternity, paternity and paid sick leave from the moment an employee joins.
—Ian King, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2026
Like Ash Wednesday, Good Friday is a day where Catholics are obliged to fast and stay abstinent throughout the day until midnight.
—Mariyam Muhammad, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Apr. 2026
The famously-shy sophomore obliged, several of her teammates whipping out their phones to record the big moment.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 1 Apr. 2026
The countries that are party to the CMS are legally obliged to protect species listed as at risk of extinction, conserve and restore their habitats, prevent obstacles to migration and cooperate with other range states.
—CBS News, 30 Mar. 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
-
Carbery hopes that Ovechkin will add to his lofty goal total in 2026-27, but regardless, the coach is thankful to have been associated with The Great 8.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Jury is thankful that the vineyard was almost entirely replanted beginning in 2018, so the vines are relatively young and create wines with vibrancy and energy.—
Laura Ness,
Mercury News,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That could spell the end of the line for Sporkey, Rex, Hamm, Bo Peep and the other dolls and action figures that once delighted Bonnie.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Those interested in sampling local cuisine will be delighted by the varied dining options, including down-home barbecue joints, classic diners, and an ever-growing selection of spots featuring global cuisines.—
Ellie Nan Storck,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Quigley’s blood alcohol content information was not public record until it was compelled by a judge in January of this year as part of discovery in a civil lawsuit.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Iranian media outlets are portraying the development as a victory for Tehran’s negotiating position, claiming that Iran’s insistence on linking progress in talks with Washington to a ceasefire in Lebanon compelled the United States and Israel to agree to a ceasefire there.—
CNN staff,
CNN Money,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Playing in front of an appreciative sellout crowd, the Capitals beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-0.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
This is where the city stages its daily open-air show — street artists sketching portraits, fortune-tellers shuffling cards and musicians playing for appreciative crowds.—
Lauren Schuster,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
A couple giggling teens popped on and off that scale recently, pleased, apparently, by the reading.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The president was reportedly pleased by the news of his eldest son's plans to marry again.—
Linda Marx,
PEOPLE,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Retailers say the ban forced them to pull 30-50% of their inventory, including some of their top‑selling products.—
Briseida Holguin,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Instead, Avdija is at risk of missing out on postseason honors entirely because of a midseason back injury that cost him 16 full games, forced him to leave immediately from a 17th and continues to bug him down the stretch of the season.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Miss Manners was only startled, not traumatized, and fortunately was able to maintain her grateful smile.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
13 Apr. 2026
-
The Secretariat of the Apostolic Nunciature said meetings with government officials are standard and the office was grateful to discuss common issues.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obliged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obliged. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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