as in friendly
willing to do a favor
an obliging concierge used her pull to get us reservations at the town's hottest restaurant
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in accommodating
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 coercing
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 obliging
Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 8 Dec. 2025
To such a request, the world is obliging.
—Literary Hub, 17 Nov. 2025
Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
The article is the key mutual defense clause, obliging all member countries to come to the aid of another member whose sovereignty or territorial integrity might be under threat.
—Pan Pylas, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obliging
Adjective
Texas coach Sean Miller wanted better defense, and the Horns are obliging.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 8 Dec. 2025
To such a request, the world is obliging.
—Literary Hub, 17 Nov. 2025
Verb
Black has sometimes driven for miles to a particular cemetery only to find a funeral under way, obliging him to leave empty-handed.
—Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
The article is the key mutual defense clause, obliging all member countries to come to the aid of another member whose sovereignty or territorial integrity might be under threat.
—Pan Pylas, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obliging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obliging
Adjective
-
With the city facing multiple lawsuits over the billing debacle, Clark helped oversee a friendly class-action lawsuit against the city, the judge found.—
Dakota Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The Zero Waste Textile Expo is a free, family-friendly event designed to highlight the environmental impact of consuming fast fashion and soft consumer goods while providing education about sustainable solutions and zero waste options anyone can participate in.—
Ut Community Press,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Rutledge added that maintaining TV studios, crews and accommodating large audiences is becoming increasingly costly for producers, who are looking more to other types of digital and social platforms that are more attractive to advertisers.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Parents of children with special needs often shy away from high-end spaces where their kids’ behavior might be on full display—but in my experience, the more luxurious the environment, the more patient, accommodating, and unflappable the staff tends to be.—
Melissa Petro,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Meyers is also accused of coercing the 15-year-old into recording the high school’s wrestling team, the complaint alleges.—
Brittany Kubicko,
NBC news,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Guevara and two colleagues, Mason and then-Detective Ernest Halvorson, orchestrated a frame-up by coercing one witness to identify Rios by beating him with a phone book and flashlight, and another by threatening to charge him with obstruction, according to the plaintiffs’ allegations.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The smooth Italian leather looks buttery and luxurious, while the simplicity of the silhouette is appeasing my favorite sleek, clean aesthetic.—
Olivia Dubyak,
InStyle,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Newsom seems to have recognized that appeasing California’s Democrats puts him out of step with the country.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
His removal would trigger yet another transition, forcing the legislature to appoint a new leader and marking a volatile new chapter in Peruvian politics just two months before national elections.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Feb. 2026
-
There’s a delectable tension between its chintziness and its opulence, forcing the mind to color in the spaces of its grand visages.—
Sam Goldner,
Pitchfork,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
West Chicago resident Lisa Weier, president of Random Acts Matter, said along with Monday’s flower giveaway, volunteers are assisting people in senior centers, helping with a food drive and more.—
David Sharos,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
-
At least six British police forces are looking into information or assisting with inquiries following the disclosures within the Epstein files.—
Lauren Said-Moorhouse,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Former Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown was hosting a roundtable featuring seven Ohioans sharing stories about the financial pain that bloated health-care costs had inflicted on their families, compelling them to scale back their medical care.—
Mark Leibovich,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The contempt proceedings are an initial step toward a criminal prosecution by the Department of Justice that, if successful, could send the Clintons to prison in a dispute over compelling them to testify before the House Oversight Committee.—
Stephen Groves,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Thanks to the Muppets’ film franchise and the wonders of YouTube, the wacky gang is still delighting, and expanding, its fan base.—
Jared Bahir Browsh,
Fortune,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Church’s has been delighting customers since 1952, when the first location opened in San Antonio.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obliging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obliging. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
