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
Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025
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
Verb
That means the sheriff and chief probation officer are not obliged to implement its recommendations.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025
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
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
-
Cut leaves from construction paper (search online for leaf shapes), punch a hole at the top of each, write a thankful message, and hang with ribbon or twine.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Sep. 2025
-
So much more to come, just so thankful and EXCITED!—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Two dachshund siblings have delighted viewers on Instagram after a video of them cuddling together on their shared daybed went viral, drawing more than 134,000 likes and a flood of emotional responses from viewers.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
-
It’s left supporters on Capitol Hill delighted, frustrated, or wondering what’s next.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
At some point in the near future, a government will likely be compelled to impose unpopular austerity measures and address the deficits in the pension system.—
Jenni Reid,
CNBC,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Inclusion in the index typically provides a structural advantage to stocks, as passive funds and ETFs that track the benchmark are compelled to purchase shares.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
10 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
-
Lincoln coaches were anything but pleased with all the critical calls which seemed to go Mission Viejo’s way.—
Kevin J. Farmer,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Archie is carried out to the car in his bed, pleased with his decision.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Instead, Syed was forced out this summer despite two decades of experience in counterterrorism and cyber operations.—
Naomi Lim,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The show also featured a number of first-time nominees and first-time winners like Tramell Tillman, Jeff Hiller, Hannah Einbinder, and Owen Cooper, all of whom were been forced to amend their moment in the spotlight to adhere to the joke.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Be grateful and show your gratitude.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Wood, who spoke to the auteur’s influence, remains grateful that it’s being used for the betterment of BIPOC creatives.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obliged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obliged. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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