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
Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
Rather than working with his ally Machado, Rubio was obliged to deal directly with Rodríguez, who had been hastily inaugurated as the interim leader.
—Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
The pair chatted before Cooper asked DiCaprio to take a photo with him, and DiCaprio happily obliged.
—Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026
Diaz obliged, but not before smacking an unlucky onlooker with a wayward first attempt, above.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Grok initially refused to put clown makeup on a Jama photo at the request of one user, but when another person said the photo was not of Jama, Grok soon obliged.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2026
The law banned putting yard waste — roughly one-fifth of municipal wastes — in sanitary landfills in 1990 and obliged local governments to recycle.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
So they, too, could be obliged to raise product prices further, while consumers are already showing price resistance.
—Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 6 Jan. 2026
She is not obliged to check in with you before going away.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 23 Dec. 2025
Verb
Mackey, trusting his father, obliged, but later regretted it.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
Rather than working with his ally Machado, Rubio was obliged to deal directly with Rodríguez, who had been hastily inaugurated as the interim leader.
—Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
The pair chatted before Cooper asked DiCaprio to take a photo with him, and DiCaprio happily obliged.
—Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026
Diaz obliged, but not before smacking an unlucky onlooker with a wayward first attempt, above.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Grok initially refused to put clown makeup on a Jama photo at the request of one user, but when another person said the photo was not of Jama, Grok soon obliged.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2026
The law banned putting yard waste — roughly one-fifth of municipal wastes — in sanitary landfills in 1990 and obliged local governments to recycle.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
So they, too, could be obliged to raise product prices further, while consumers are already showing price resistance.
—Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 6 Jan. 2026
She is not obliged to check in with you before going away.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 23 Dec. 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
-
Vigilante and his family lost everything, but were thankful to still have each other.—
Eric Noll,
ABC News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Dominique was just thankful to have him.—
Mirin Fader,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The back-to-back away victories to start 2026, to add to the goalless draw ground out at Ipswich Town in November in the only other league outing missed by Moore this season, understandably left Wrexham manager Parkinson delighted.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster These two power performers delighted fans with their real-life connection, blending Broadway and movie star appeal into their romance.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Given rising trade tensions and the likely unsustainable strength in the export sector, Beijing might eventually be compelled to ramp up its policy measures significantly.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
9 Jan. 2026
-
You might be compelled to flirt with the visible lingerie trend or pair a new faux fur coat with tall Uggs.—
Maressa Brown,
InStyle,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
When Nuno went onto the pitch at the final whistle, there were some long, appreciative hugs with some of his former players.—
Daniel Taylor,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Sara Gibbs, executive director of Escondido Community Child Development Center, and Danielle Rush, HR director, graciously thanked Saint Helen Philoptochos and were very appreciative for their generous donation which was above and beyond their expectations, the news release stated.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The volume was eventually reprinted in the Modern Library—an accolade that greatly pleased its author.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Reportedly, Ivanka wasn’t all that pleased about the snub.—
StyleCaster Editors,
StyleCaster,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
With temperatures climbing above freezing and sunny skies melting half the structure, they were forced to start over entirely.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Twenty-two people — two civilians and 20 firefighters — were injured and thousands were forced to evacuate.—
Claire Wang,
Oc Register,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Nick Ruggiere, another of Goose's rescuers, told 7 News WHDH that the owner and his dog were incredibly grateful for the swift help.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Our wallets, lungs, and future generations would be grateful.—
Anshul Gupta,
New York Daily News,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obliged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obliged. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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