1
as in to accommodate
to do a service or favor for
I would appreciate it greatly if you could oblige me by bringing a dessert to the party
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to compel
to cause (a person) to give in to pressure
I know you're in a hurry, but you can't oblige me to drive any faster than the speed limit
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 oblige
Since then, the internet has become increasingly eager to oblige.
—
Georgia Casey, Allure, 6 Feb. 2026
Delivery Hero chair Kristin Skogen Lund was obliged to write to shareholders announcing a strategy review, a streamlining of costs, and continuing exits from underperforming regions.
—Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 6 Feb. 2026
With their happiness to oblige evident on their faces, Liu and Levito posed on both sides of Glenn.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Butler, who said he’d always been intrigued by coaching after his career was over, obliged.
—Sam Warren, Houston Chronicle, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for oblige
Georgia Casey, Allure, 6 Feb. 2026
Delivery Hero chair Kristin Skogen Lund was obliged to write to shareholders announcing a strategy review, a streamlining of costs, and continuing exits from underperforming regions.
—Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 6 Feb. 2026
With their happiness to oblige evident on their faces, Liu and Levito posed on both sides of Glenn.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Butler, who said he’d always been intrigued by coaching after his career was over, obliged.
—Sam Warren, Houston Chronicle, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for oblige
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oblige
Verb
-
From now on, the Post will no longer accommodate the admirably omnivorous avidity of its best readers.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Part of the project will also be expanding a portion of the cart path to accommodate the new service window and to provide ADA access.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Consumer demand increasingly forms inside cultural ecosystems that compel participation.—
Christopher Vollmer,
Fortune,
9 Feb. 2026
-
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
-
Officials in other sports have gone out of their way to appease the White House.—
Evan Drellich,
New York Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The attention attracts con artist Jacob (Robbie Allen), who sends three clumsy thieves led by Kodiak (Richmond) to steal the kangaroo and appease the wealthy Kathryn (Kinmont) and her ailing son.—
William Earl,
Variety,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
In an interview with Time later in 2025, Williams denied that her appearance was designed to assist Lamar in dissing Drake.—
James Hansen,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The technology could also improve performance in collaborative tasks that require physical contact, such as object handling, assisted mobility devices, and service robotics, by allowing robots to continuously adjust grip and contact force during interaction.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
Elsa Lemmila scored a career-high 23 points to help Ohio State beat Oregon.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Training and case management through FRAP is supposed to help attorneys deal with what Clegg calls a difficult area of law.—
Raynee Howell,
Oklahoma Watch,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Orange County’s agreement with ICE only obligates the county to detain up to 114 people, but the county was housing, on average, 140 inmates a day in January and last week, the count hit 182.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 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
Cite this Entry
“Oblige.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oblige. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
