1
as in duty
something one must do because of prior agreement
their financial obligations keep them from giving to charities as much as they would like
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in debt
something (as money) which is owed
I have to pay off my current obligations before I can buy a new car
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 obligation
Leaders who want durable AI revenue need to treat commercial clarity as an obligation before the market turns confusion into precedent.
—
Rishi Katdare,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
Taking time to understand the legal obligations, reviewing account documents and exploring repayment or debt relief options when necessary can help families make informed financial decisions during an already challenging time.
—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
1 July 2026
Under the Justice Department's new interpretation of Olmsted, states would have fewer obligations to fund and support those programs.
—
ABC News,
1 July 2026
Disciplined by these obligations, American Muslims have become outsized contributors to the nation’s charitable life.
—
Iqbal Akhtar,
The Conversation,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for obligation
Rishi Katdare,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
Taking time to understand the legal obligations, reviewing account documents and exploring repayment or debt relief options when necessary can help families make informed financial decisions during an already challenging time.
—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
1 July 2026
Under the Justice Department's new interpretation of Olmsted, states would have fewer obligations to fund and support those programs.
—
ABC News,
1 July 2026
Disciplined by these obligations, American Muslims have become outsized contributors to the nation’s charitable life.
—
Iqbal Akhtar,
The Conversation,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for obligation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligation
Noun
-
Eriyonna Walcott, a 3rd Class Cadet, beelined to the Ecuadorian ship docked next to the Eagle in Norfolk after she was let off duty one afternoon.
-
The estimate does not fully capture the federal government’s longer-term personnel costs, including the accrual of veterans’ benefits tied to active-duty service, such as retirement and education benefits.
Noun
-
The American Medical Association noted, in a statement to USA TODAY, that doctors often spend 12 to 15 years in training, typically exiting medical school with roughly $200,000 in debt.
-
Volatile, quarrelsome, dogmatic, and sure of his own brilliance, Reinhold outraged patrons, amassed huge debts, and turned his eldest son into an exhausted workhorse.
Noun
-
In many cases, cars add stress, expense, and responsibility without many upsides for college students, especially those attending urban colleges and universities with readily accessible public transit.
-
Chuck Norris Throughout his life, Chuck Norris was associated with messages celebrating patriotism, faith and civic responsibility.
Noun
-
All of this spells the need for clear rules and for lawmakers and law enforcement to catch up with this rapidly changing transportation.
-
But when Erik Spoelstra is strategizing, the needs of Nikola Jovic, for better or worse, are not going to be at the top of the organizational process.
Noun
-
The unique vow arrangement saw both Swift and Kelce deliver 20-minute speeches celebrating their love and commitment to one another.
-
What distinguishes the Upper Room is its commitment to community.
Cite this Entry
“Obligation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligation. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
