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
Lesnar obliged and hit Graves with a second F5. Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 20 Sep. 2025 The Cincinnati Bengals star obliged. Trevor Squire, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025 Yes, the city knows its way around a good crabcake—something every visitor is obliged to try—but the scenery goes beyond the plate. Shelby Stewart, Essence, 17 Sep. 2025 Princess Kate obliged, seemed to say farewell to Melania and stepped away to walk towards Prince William's side. Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2025 Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology obliged. Allison Marsh, IEEE Spectrum, 17 Sep. 2025 That means the sheriff and chief probation officer are not obliged to implement its recommendations. Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025 McKee, ever the lotion loyalist, happily obliged. Zach Berman, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025 Even talking about the royal family is fraught with risk, as complaints can be filed by anyone, from officials to members of the public, and police are obliged to investigate cases. Helen Regan, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obliged
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
Adjective
  • Cut leaves from construction paper (search online for leaf shapes), punch a hole at the top of each, write a thankful message, and hang with ribbon or twine.
    Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Sep. 2025
  • So much more to come, just so thankful and EXCITED!
    Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The group, which features members all wearing terrifying masks — something that delighted millions of fans at the turn of the millennium and scared plenty of others — is back on the Billboard charts, not with new music, but with the full-length that started it all.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • The video has delighted the internet, leading to more than 373,400 views and over 97,200 likes on TikTok at the time of writing.
    Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • These factors have compelled Lennar to rely more on sales incentives to maintain its sales momentum.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Afonso, who works in the Healey administration’s Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, said he was compelled to push for a recount to provide certainty for District 7 voters after one of the closest preliminary elections in recent city history.
    Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Robbie tries to be appreciative of the young matriarch’s sacrifices.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Produced by Brad Pitt’s Plan B and Barry Jenkins’ Pastel, this is a small-scale picture that should find a commensurate but appreciative audience.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Lincoln coaches were anything but pleased with all the critical calls which seemed to go Mission Viejo’s way.
    Kevin J. Farmer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Archie is carried out to the car in his bed, pleased with his decision.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Instead, Syed was forced out this summer despite two decades of experience in counterterrorism and cyber operations.
    Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 16 Sep. 2025
  • The show also featured a number of first-time nominees and first-time winners like Tramell Tillman, Jeff Hiller, Hannah Einbinder, and Owen Cooper, all of whom were been forced to amend their moment in the spotlight to adhere to the joke.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Be grateful and show your gratitude.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Wood, who spoke to the auteur’s influence, remains grateful that it’s being used for the betterment of BIPOC creatives.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 16 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Obliged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obliged. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.

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