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
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
Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Kendrick Bourne - New England Patriots After being on the 53 man roster Tuesday, Bourne requested to be released by the Patriots on Wednesday and the team obliged his request.
—Mike Fore, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
McKee, ever the lotion loyalist, happily obliged.
—Zach Berman, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
Even talking about the royal family is fraught with risk, as complaints can be filed by anyone, from officials to members of the public, and police are obliged to investigate cases.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2025
Private insurers would be obliged to offer policies that couldn’t discriminate by neighborhood.
—Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
Director John Schlesinger insisted that all cavalry men before 1860 were right-handed, and so Stamp obliged.
—Rhett Bartlett, HollywoodReporter, 17 Aug. 2025
This time, the president was interested in finding five more safe Republican seats in Congress, and Abbott obliged.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 16 Aug. 2025
The owner, clad in a foppish costume, is throwing a fancy party filled with people who don’t feel obliged to follow the evacuation orders of some paramilitary stooge.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
Then they are obliged to follow all lines of enquiry and take action as appropriate.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Kendrick Bourne - New England Patriots After being on the 53 man roster Tuesday, Bourne requested to be released by the Patriots on Wednesday and the team obliged his request.
—Mike Fore, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
McKee, ever the lotion loyalist, happily obliged.
—Zach Berman, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
Even talking about the royal family is fraught with risk, as complaints can be filed by anyone, from officials to members of the public, and police are obliged to investigate cases.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2025
Private insurers would be obliged to offer policies that couldn’t discriminate by neighborhood.
—Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
Director John Schlesinger insisted that all cavalry men before 1860 were right-handed, and so Stamp obliged.
—Rhett Bartlett, HollywoodReporter, 17 Aug. 2025
This time, the president was interested in finding five more safe Republican seats in Congress, and Abbott obliged.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 16 Aug. 2025
The owner, clad in a foppish costume, is throwing a fancy party filled with people who don’t feel obliged to follow the evacuation orders of some paramilitary stooge.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2025
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
-
Auggie certainly seemed thankful for her plush bed and soft blanket.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Sep. 2025
-
Millions of people worldwide have reason to be thankful that Swedish engineer Rune Elmqvist decided not to practice medicine.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Wilson has been delighted at the response her video has gotten.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Business interests were delighted by the bill’s defeat.—
Thomas Elias,
Mercury News,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
As for me, whatever posturing impulse had compelled my attendance at the 10-year had dimmed considerably.—
Jordan Michelman,
The Atlantic,
4 Sep. 2025
-
During a talk at the Hawgs Illustrated Sports Club luncheon, Yurachek laid out the reasons that have compelled UA officials to have the contract with War Memorial come to an end with no games on the horizon.—
Tom Murphy,
Arkansas Online,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Robbie tries to be appreciative of the young matriarch’s sacrifices.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Produced by Brad Pitt’s Plan B and Barry Jenkins’ Pastel, this is a small-scale picture that should find a commensurate but appreciative audience.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Magnitude had descended in the track’s estimation from the 2-1 morning line by post time to go off at 7-2, but Bracket Buster, who went off at 17-1 to place, pleased his trainer Victoria Oliver by stepping smartly out of the pack to challenge Sovereignty briefly at the top of the stretch.—
Guy Martin,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
-
His effort to schmaltz Putin with a display of royal pageantry obviously pleased this murderous dictator to no end.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Though Andre officially ended things with his other flame, Ashley (Jen Jacob), Dani's daughter's abduction has forced her to spend some questionable quality time with her ex-husband Bill (Timon Kyle Durrett), who, it should be noted, shares a last name with Devon Winters' birth mother Yolanda.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Sep. 2025
-
On Sunday, Rodgers celebrated when the Steelers forced and recovered a fumble during a fourth-quarter kickoff return.—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Much of the education is informal, with skilled employees teaching the apprentices, who are truly grateful for the opportunity to work and learn.—
Andy Tonsing,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Forever grateful for the support.—
Julio Cesar Valdera Morales,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obliged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obliged. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share