obliged 1 of 2

1
as in obligated
being under obligation for a favor or gift my new neighbor gave me a Christmas present, and now I feel obliged to reciprocate

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2

obliged

2 of 2

verb

past tense of oblige

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 obliged
Verb
In all but three cases, Biden obliged. Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY, 24 Dec. 2024 Last, but not least, as the host of a party you are never obliged to serve a wine that a guest has brought. Liza B. Zimmerman, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024 The Duchess is no longer bound by the same rigid expectations (unspoken or otherwise) she was obliged to take into consideration as a core member of the Firm. Kerry McDermott, Vogue, 20 Dec. 2024 Theaters obliged by dropping the latter; and stars such as Joseph Grimaldi and his slapstick ilk gradually moved over to circus entertainment, where clown work fit right in. The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 18 Dec. 2024 When a small school in Georgia obliged, Iltchev jumped at the opportunity, quickly improving his English and parlaying his talent as a youth champion at tennis back in Bulgaria into another scholarship to a small Christian college in South Carolina. Alex Konrad, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024 The word for the fifth-act climax of risotto—the scene in which the butter (preferably cold, from the fridge) and the Parmesan are brought onstage and obliged to mingle with the other characters—is mantecatura. Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2024 The scoreboard operator obliged but restarted the clock after several seconds had elapsed. Ben Standig, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024 The shooter obliged, pulling down his mask long enough for the surveillance camera to capture his face. Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 6 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obliged
Adjective
  • With 35 employees, Frolov’s founder Ivan Frolov is thankful that none of them have been harmed or killed due to the intermittent shelling near the brand’s production hub in Kyiv.
    Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 24 Feb. 2025
  • Reflecting on the day, Kaylyn is thankful for that beautiful mountaintop garden, the people who surrounded them, and the love she and her new husband share.
    Shelby Wax, Vogue, 20 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The bipartisan vote for release marks a significant shift, as Republicans in the full House had previously blocked two Democratic resolutions that would have compelled the report's release.
    Gord Magill, Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2024
  • Without China making the first move, Chinese firms will be compelled by genuine market forces rather than often heavy-handed and inefficient state mandates to realize Xi’s vision.
    Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The two put on a striking battle over three rounds in front of an appreciative crowd in London that evening.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Egoyan, who wrote the appreciative liner notes for Kouyoumdjian’s Kronos recording, is a talented opera director.
    Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Former President Joe Biden had also grown frustrated at moments with Zelenskyy for being insufficiently grateful of American support, according to former administration officials.
    DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS, arkansasonline.com, 1 Mar. 2025
  • The filing alleges the security guard who drove her home told her to accept what had happened and be grateful Combs had chosen her.
    Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Amtrak will waive additional charges for customers who change their reservation, and most customers were accommodated on other trains, according to a spokesperson.
    Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 22 Dec. 2024
  • Neurodiversity will be better accommodated at work Half of neurodivergent employees want to quit their jobs, or already have, due to not being supported by their employer.
    Sally Percy, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Ratcliffe’s defenders say that his role as the DNI obligated him to speak up, even if that meant straying into red-hot political topics.
    Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2025
  • Starting in 2028, all businesses in Germany will be obligated to issue electronic invoices.
    Aleksandra Bal, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • What seems certain is that both the club and player will be glad when the summer transfer window opens and AC Milan can part ways with Theo Hernández with the two parties clearly needing a fresh start.
    Adam Digby, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Marian coach Dan Murray knows his team survived an off shooting night but was glad the Spartans could still win against the Celtics.
    Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Chamberlain was a British prime minister who appeased Nazi Germany during its rise.
    Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2024
  • In some eerie festivals, the dead who return from the other side are to be feared, avoided or appeased to stop them from doing harm to the living.
    Matt Ralphs, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Oct. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Obliged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obliged. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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