obligated 1 of 2

as in obliged
being under obligation for a favor or gift we have been their guests so many times that we feel obligated to return their hospitality

Synonyms & Similar Words

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obligated

2 of 2

verb

past tense of obligate

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 obligated
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
Meanwhile, Miami Planning Director David Snow told commissioners, the city has been obligated to approve dozens of Live Local projects, though only two are under construction. Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026 Have a Conversation About Repairs While ideally a fence would be repaired as quickly as possible, especially if there is a safety concern with children or pets, Spencer says the owner is not obligated to fix it within a specific timeframe. Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 June 2026 Parents feel obligated to provide their children with a certain standard of summer vacation, regardless of the actual cost. Jennifer Jay Palumbo, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026 You are not obligated to carry everyone’s emotions, Sagittarius. Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026 For example, if both spouses signed for a mortgage, auto loan, personal loan or joint credit card account, the surviving borrower is still obligated to make payments. Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 24 June 2026 Washington is obligated by a domestic law to provide the island with sufficient hardware to fend off any invasion from the mainland. ABC News, 24 June 2026 If it’s not obligated by the end of September, that money will expire and can no longer be spent. Anna Maria Barry-Jester, ProPublica, 22 June 2026 France’s rule barring under-15s from social media, for instance, doesn’t specify who is actually obligated to enforce it, since naming platforms as the responsible party would trigger a direct conflict with EU law. Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 19 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligated
Adjective
  • Oligarchs pocketed the petrodollars of the late-aughts oil boom and left the nation somehow poorer and more indebted.
    Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 1 July 2026
  • Leaders should instead focus on creating a workplace environment where people feel valued rather than indebted.
    Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • When Sedalia businessman Jorge Guevara saw on social media Tuesday that the Royals’ 50-50 charity raffle was going toward the American Red Cross’ earthquake relief efforts in Venezuela, he instantly was compelled to enter online.
    Vahe Gregorian July 2, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026
  • The sidewalk in front of my house had some lips and dips that could’ve compelled me to rent heavy equipment and get to work.
    Wes Marshall, The Conversation, 2 July 2026
Adjective
  • The Polish superstar is also grateful for the help of another skiing icon, Shiffrin.
    Ben Church, CNN Money, 29 June 2026
  • Brian also says his family remains deeply grateful to the transplant team at Hassenfeld Children's Hospital at NYU Langone, whose care helped make Benjamin's recovery possible.
    Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 28 June 2026
Verb
  • Extreme heat has forced several communities in the Washington area to cancel or scale back their Independence Day celebrations.
    Kyla Guilfoil, NBC news, 5 July 2026
  • The Kings forced 20 turnovers, leading to a 22-6 advantage in points off turnovers.
    Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 5 July 2026
Adjective
  • That means candidates would be less beholden to special interests since no money is needed for a primary campaign.
    Paul Haughey, Mercury News, 27 June 2026
  • To whom are public officials beholden, and who decides the rule of law?
    Robert Parkinson, The Conversation, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • Even with that 2024 ruling and last year’s trial, Rinsch hasn’t paid back Netflix anything, though he still is obliged to.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 29 June 2026
  • Not everyone is lonely; some women, no longer obliged to marry, are probably happier and freer.
    Simon Sebag Montefiore, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026
Verb
  • Enterprises that route requests between multiple models can be coerced into selecting the weakest route.
    Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • The study was later shut down after an internal review confirmed that patients were coerced into participating.
    Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Obligated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligated. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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