Definition of obligenext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word oblige different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of oblige are coerce, compel, constrain, and force. While all these words mean "to make someone or something yield," oblige implies the constraint of necessity, law, or duty.

felt obliged to go

When would coerce be a good substitute for oblige?

Although the words coerce and oblige have much in common, coerce suggests overcoming resistance or unwillingness by actual or threatened violence or pressure.

coerced into signing over the rights

When might compel be a better fit than oblige?

The words compel and oblige can be used in similar contexts, but compel typically suggests overcoming of resistance or unwillingness by an irresistible force.

compelled to admit my mistake

When can constrain be used instead of oblige?

The meanings of constrain and oblige largely overlap; however, constrain suggests the effect of a force or circumstance that limits freedom of action or choice.

constrained by conscience

Where would force be a reasonable alternative to oblige?

While the synonyms force and oblige are close in meaning, force is the general term and implies the overcoming of resistance by the exertion of strength, power, or duress.

forced to flee for their lives

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 oblige Austrian law did not oblige him to promise to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. William Finnegan, New Yorker, 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 Charles reveals tax bill By law, the British king is not obliged to pay income, capital gains or inheritance tax, but Charles, like his mother did after 1993, has voluntarily done so without disclosing the amounts. CNN Money, 26 June 2026 Upon turning 30 — or 25, if within 5 miles of the coast — all such structures were obliged to complete safety inspections. Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for oblige
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oblige
Verb
  • The ship can accommodate 5,610 guests at double occupancy, according to a cruise line fact sheet.
    Nathan Diller, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • Not every backyard can accommodate the 60-foot by 30-foot footprint these courts require, and his residential courts tend to be in communities where larger properties are the norm — like Hillsborough, Atherton, Woodside and Saratoga.
    Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 5 July 2026
Verb
  • Detective Joshua Hylton was granted a geofence warrant that compelled Google to search its database and identify every cellphone in a 17½-acre area around the bank, including private residences and a church, for a period of two hours.
    Anne Toomey McKenna, The Conversation, 30 June 2026
  • The Current building the stadium, of course, helped compel the expansion that opened in May with a stop that is about a five-minute walk from the stadium.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • But the rollercoaster ride for AI could get bumpier with the latest reporting on OpenAI looking for ways to appease the White House.
    Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 2 July 2026
  • Columbus isn’t going to just move a Norris Trophy winner to appease the player.
    Pierre LeBrun, New York Times, 27 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
  • What’s not clear is whether the department will eventually use its muscle to coerce builders, suppliers, and property owners into upgrading their sheds and fielding them more sparingly.
    Justin Davidson, Curbed, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • Harpring says the city is using smaller fireworks than in previous years and has added additional staff to assist with safety, a decision made after a 10-acre fire broke out in the city earlier this year.
    Chierstin Roth, CBS News, 2 July 2026
  • Royals catcher Carter Jensen made a pair of strong throws to assist Lugo on the mound.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 2 July 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
Verb
  • Advocates say the funds would help build more than 40,000 shovel-ready affordable homes that are unable to move forward because of a financing gap and help preserve thousands of other existing units.
    Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Ryan would love nothing more than to help convince the front office to add and give this team a chance down the stretch.
    Dan Hayes, New York Times, 6 July 2026
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
  • The Montreux Convention obligates Turkey to allow commercial ships freedom of passage, but allows the country to charge for some specific things, including sanitary, pilotage, towage and lighthouse services.
    Joanne Stocker, CBS News, 1 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Oblige.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oblige. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

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