as in to compel
to cause (a person) to give in to pressure
the problem is of your own making, so don't think that you can obligate me to help
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Recent Examples of obligate
The Unified Government is not obligated to make debt service payments on the bonds, according to board documents.
—
Kansas City Star, 31 Jan. 2026
Chief Communications Officer Jan Ivey said the club conducted a research project with UNC Charlotte and felt obligated to act on the findings.
—Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 30 Jan. 2026
School leaders are not obligated to punish students for walking out.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 30 Jan. 2026
Unlike early decision, which requires immediate commitment to a school if accepted, students who apply early action are not obligated to enroll if accepted via this action.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obligate
Kansas City Star, 31 Jan. 2026
Chief Communications Officer Jan Ivey said the club conducted a research project with UNC Charlotte and felt obligated to act on the findings.
—Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 30 Jan. 2026
School leaders are not obligated to punish students for walking out.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 30 Jan. 2026
Unlike early decision, which requires immediate commitment to a school if accepted, students who apply early action are not obligated to enroll if accepted via this action.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obligate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligate
Verb
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Consumer demand increasingly forms inside cultural ecosystems that compel participation.—
Christopher Vollmer,
Fortune,
9 Feb. 2026
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So, both Democrats and Republicans see federal enforcement not as protection but as an occupying force to compel liberals to bow to Republican political goals.—
Robert Pape,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The intelligence reports warn that 764 and its many offshoots have expanded into a transnational, online network that glorifies violence and tries to coerce people, often minors, to hurt themselves or others.—
Curt Devine,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
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Criminals usually target people who have publicly boasted about their crypto winnings, and physically coerce them to give up their Bitcoin key.—
Carlos Garcia,
Fortune,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Beijing’s national security law has transformed Hong Kong, with authorities jailing dozens of dissidents; forcing civil society groups and outspoken media outlets to disband; and neutering the city’s once-raucous political scene.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
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The defense forced three turnovers, Jason Myers kicked a Super Bowl-record five field goals, and running back Kenneth Walker III rushed for 135 yards to earn most valuable player as the Seahawks finished the season with 10 consecutive victories.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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James obliged, but the Heat still capitalized on the moment by selling T-shirts of him in the original black mask.—
Ian Servantes,
Footwear News,
9 Feb. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Obligate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligate. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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