as in compelled
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of obligated
Jan Ellen Spiegel, Hartford Courant, 8 Aug. 2025
Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
Note, unlike with excursions booked through cruise lines, ships aren't obligated to wait for you if third-party operators run late.
—Eve Chen, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
The Eagles would not be obligated to let Stoutland out of his contract for a lateral move, but Harbaugh has to make the call anyway.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2026
The Pistons are young and exceeding expectations for the second straight season, so there’s a desire to find the ceiling of this group without feeling obligated to shake up the core.
—Hunter Patterson, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
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
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
Verb
Unprompted, Campbell offered an apology to reporters for declining to speak after the Super Bowl, something players are obligated to do by league policy.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
Note, unlike with excursions booked through cruise lines, ships aren't obligated to wait for you if third-party operators run late.
—Eve Chen, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
The Eagles would not be obligated to let Stoutland out of his contract for a lateral move, but Harbaugh has to make the call anyway.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2026
The Pistons are young and exceeding expectations for the second straight season, so there’s a desire to find the ceiling of this group without feeling obligated to shake up the core.
—Hunter Patterson, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligated
Verb
-
Anecdotes like these are the reason Wong felt compelled to start documenting mahjong traditions.—
Grace Hwang Lynch,
Mercury News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Never has Congress compelled the testimony of a former president under threat of contempt charges.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Japan is the most indebted nation in the world, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of almost 230% in 2025, according to data from the International Monetary Fund.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Smith knows Williams made the final call to hire him, but feels most indebted to his new boss.—
Andrew Callahan,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Anutin has been prime minister only since last September, after serving in the Cabinet of his immediate predecessor, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was forced out of office for an ethics violation regarding mishandling relations with Cambodia.—
GRANT PECK,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Our parents would have been so grateful if vaccines could have spared us.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The people who run thrift stores are grateful for every donation that supports their cause.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Ice princesses are obliged to be polite and palatable at all times, often at the expense of their humanity.—
Jasmine Wynn,
Time,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The Pentagon has shelled out nearly $5 billion over the past year to help ensure its access to the materials after the trade war laid bare just how beholden the U.S. is to China.—
Didi Tang,
Fortune,
4 Feb. 2026
-
But Netanyahu was beholden for his political future to the radical minority that supported it, and constantly catered to their whims.—
Yair Rosenberg,
The Atlantic,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Being coerced into recreational activities against your will suggests a unique type of loneliness—for Sutkowski, one that represents emotional trials far deeper than just an unhappy season in dusty cleats.—
Billie Bugara,
Pitchfork,
10 Feb. 2026
-
According to the recent court filings, members are coerced to provide all of the labor in the GCCA compound without compensation.—
Jane Borden,
Rolling Stone,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obligated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligated. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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