obliged 1 of 2

Definition of obligednext
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
Ticketmaster’s worst enemy obliged. Devon Ivie, Vulture, 6 May 2026 Of course, Brown obliged the crowd’s request for second-year point guard Tyler Kolek. Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 5 May 2026 Each time, the friends put down their cans of Miller Lite and happily obliged. Audrey Pachuta, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026 Jack Warner didn’t much like the title, and requested it be changed to The Night Action; Reeves obliged. Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026 Referee James Williams obliged and gave Booker the penalty. Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026 Naturally, RuPaul asked the New Jersey senator to make a cameo on the season 13 finale of RuPaul's Drag Race, to which Booker obliged. Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 19 Apr. 2026 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
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
  • Her return to Chicago was full of love from the Sky faithful — and Reese was thankful for the support.
    Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Other fans were simply thankful for the sauce's return.
    Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • From 'oo's' and 'ah's' to big smiles, fans are both amazed and delighted by his presence.
    Kaley Fedko, CBS News, 6 May 2026
  • Arkansas senior Maria Jose Marin, who delighted the crowd with her Augusta National Women's Amateur title last month, had a 69-69 weekend to finish fifth.
    ABC News, ABC News, 3 May 2026
Verb
  • Starmer is not compelled to call another general election until 2029, when his term expires.
    Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 7 May 2026
  • Alito, joined by Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch, felt compelled to respond in remarkable terms.
    Ella Lee, The Hill, 6 May 2026
Adjective
  • Despite those challenges, Thomas has remained deeply appreciative of the experience.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 3 May 2026
  • While reflecting on his experience in the popular horror franchise with his role in Bloodline, Scott was still appreciative of the opportunity early in his acting career.
    Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 3 May 2026
Verb
  • Again, Brunello was a man at ease in his surroundings, pleased to share the docufilm about his life and philosophies.
    Randee Dawn, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
  • A couple giggling teens popped on and off that scale recently, pleased, apparently, by the reading.
    Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Though embedded in society, these young characters are Kaspar Hauser-like figures, spectrally isolated from the signifying world, forced to construct meaning for themselves, from the ground up.
    James Wood, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
  • Liz Leone, who has 52 apartments in Las Vegas and is part of the lawsuit, said the moratorium almost forced her out of business.
    Michael Casey, Fortune, 3 May 2026
Adjective
  • The president has surely been pleased that a friendly new Post opinion page has written columns so regularly praising his foreign policy acumen, and supporters of Ukraine may also be grateful.
    Max Tani, semafor.com, 4 May 2026
  • Nearly two months later with a playoff series win in Anaheim’s pocket, Carlson is grateful that the trade didn’t produce a one-and-done scenario as someone who could still be a rental addition.
    Eric Stephens, New York Times, 4 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Obliged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obliged. Accessed 9 May. 2026.

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