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

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

The state felt obliged to make up the difference. —Los Angeles Times, 9 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

Often, grand jurors are obliged to sit for months at a time, often at great personal expense, demonstrating admirable and selfless fortitude in service of this important public service. —Barbara Jaffe, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2026

The response from the government — to subsidize household energy bills — raised public borrowing hugely, the consequences of which are still being felt today, while higher inflation obliged the Bank of England to operate restrictive monetary policy. —Ian King, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2026

Edwards obliged, passing it over the top of the defense to Towns in the corner. —Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 27 Feb. 2026

Its length was its first declaration of disrespect for those obliged to sit through it. —David Frum, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2026

Western Illinois coach obliged, and Wagner made the team. —Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 19 Feb. 2026