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 beholden
One philosophy argues that judges should be completely independent and not subject to the volatile forces of public opinion, while the other, borne out of corruption concerns in the 1800s and early 1900s, argues that judges should be less beholden to politicians, and voters should have a voice.
—
Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
And then there’s the daffy spectacle of the films themselves, with plots beholden to almost avant-garde manipulations of time, space, and reality.
—Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2026
The Iran war is shifting that cost-benefit analysis, while Gulf oil producers — now highly wary of the threat posed by the Islamic Republic and fearful of being beholden to forces beyond their control in the future — are finally looking beyond the Strait of Hormuz for exports.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
Anyone that wanted to reserve time in the July 19 final was beholden to a full-tourney pledge of as much as $30 million, although your mileage will vary based on any number of extrinsic variables.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for beholden
Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
And then there’s the daffy spectacle of the films themselves, with plots beholden to almost avant-garde manipulations of time, space, and reality.
—Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2026
The Iran war is shifting that cost-benefit analysis, while Gulf oil producers — now highly wary of the threat posed by the Islamic Republic and fearful of being beholden to forces beyond their control in the future — are finally looking beyond the Strait of Hormuz for exports.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
Anyone that wanted to reserve time in the July 19 final was beholden to a full-tourney pledge of as much as $30 million, although your mileage will vary based on any number of extrinsic variables.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for beholden
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beholden
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
-
China Evergrande, once one of China’s largest real estate developers, first defaulted in 2021, and with more than $300 billion in liabilities became the world’s most indebted developer.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 May 2026
-
The story follows a girl training to be a caregiver who inadvertently tells her indebted boyfriend about a rich patient living in a large mansion.—
Liz Shackleton,
Deadline,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Beholden.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beholden. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
