Synonym Chooser

How is the word oblige different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of oblige are coerce, compel, constrain, and force. While all these words mean "to make someone or something yield," oblige implies the constraint of necessity, law, or duty.

felt obliged to go

When would coerce be a good substitute for oblige?

Although the words coerce and oblige have much in common, coerce suggests overcoming resistance or unwillingness by actual or threatened violence or pressure.

coerced into signing over the rights

When might compel be a better fit than oblige?

The words compel and oblige can be used in similar contexts, but compel typically suggests overcoming of resistance or unwillingness by an irresistible force.

compelled to admit my mistake

When can constrain be used instead of oblige?

The meanings of constrain and oblige largely overlap; however, constrain suggests the effect of a force or circumstance that limits freedom of action or choice.

constrained by conscience

Where would force be a reasonable alternative to oblige?

While the synonyms force and oblige are close in meaning, force is the general term and implies the overcoming of resistance by the exertion of strength, power, or duress.

forced to flee for their lives

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 oblige That meant the jail was not legally obliged to report the death to DHHS. Charlotte Observer, 4 Aug. 2025 Galileo Galilei, who, in 1632, published a book supporting the Copernican theory that the Earth revolves around the sun, was accused of heresy, obliged to recant, and condemned to house arrest. Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 28 July 2025 Fortunately, Slim Shady was happy to oblige, and that was perhaps due to their relationship spanning decades. Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 31 July 2025 Serbia has been a candidate country for EU membership since 2012 and is obliged to align its foreign policy with that of the EU. Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for oblige
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oblige
Verb
  • The result is an infrastructure network that's not just reactive, but resilient—designed to accommodate diverse user needs and reduce grid strain during peak demand.
    Bryan Mistele, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
  • The central lawn was one of the most notable features of President John F. Kennedy's iconic Rose Garden redesign in the early 1960s, which allowed room to accommodate more high-profile events by moving the flowers, shrubs and trees to the perimeter of the space.
    Kyler Alvord, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Without probable cause, Windsor could not have forced or compelled a blood test, breath test or urine test, De Bree’s memo said.
    Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025
  • After House Democrats left Texas more than a week ago to prevent the quorum, the Republican speaker of the Texas House, Dustin Burrows of Lubbock, issued the civil warrants to compel the Democrats to return to Austin.
    Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • China sells hybrids and EVs for maximum penetration While some brands offer hybrids and plug-in hybrids to appease those buyers not yet ready to make the switch to full-electric, most Chinese cars sold in Australia are electric.
    Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2025
  • Certain elements of iconography carried over, but the tone has mostly been serious, toeing a delicate line to appease fans while also attracting general audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
    Andrew McGowan, Variety, 8 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • But, as archaeologist Sean Winter writes, also like in the US, the reality involves a lot of people coerced into laboring for the benefit of the most powerful.
    Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 7 Aug. 2025
  • The lawsuit alleges the grant conditions coerce local governments into adopting the Trump administration's policy agenda.
    Alison Dirr, jsonline.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Only about 30 troops were on D.C. streets Tuesday night, though officials say as many as 800 could eventually be mobilized to protect federal sites and assist in other non-arrest functions.
    Nik Popli, Time, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Three engines from the Idaho Department of Lands, two U.S. Forest Service engines and a Forest Service crew responded to assist the Robie Creek Fire Department, the Thorn Creek Fire Department and the Wilderness Ranch Fire Department.
    Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Obama did much of this without Republicans forcing his hand.
    Brian Domitrovic, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2025
  • Alex Austin ended Jayden Daniels' last period, knocking away an end-zone pass on fourth-and-six to force a would-be turnover on downs.
    Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Two years earlier, two grandchildren of George Halas sold their shares in the team back to the family; and the team used proceeds from the sale to Ryan and McKenna to help pay down debt burdens.
    Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Ford has released Bullitts in honor of the film Steve McQueen plays the character Bullitt in the movie, a detective who is at odds with the mafia and trying to help take them down.
    Keenan Thompson, Freep.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • But the Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays were contractually obligated to play a game in the great outdoors of Steinbrenner Field.
    Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 4 Aug. 2025
  • The process of obligating and disbursing funds is referred to as budget execution.
    Doug Criscitello, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Oblige.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oblige. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

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