1
2
as in thankful
feeling or expressing gratitude
I'd be much obliged if you could do me this favor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in delighted
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in compelled
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
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Recent Examples of obliged
Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 9 Feb. 2026
Ice princesses are obliged to be polite and palatable at all times, often at the expense of their humanity.
—Jasmine Wynn, Time, 9 Feb. 2026
Temperatures outside were unseasonably high, topping out at 63 degrees in February at 7,000 feet, and the Aztecs obliged with some torrid shooting.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 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
Butler, who said he’d always been intrigued by coaching after his career was over, obliged.
—Sam Warren, Houston Chronicle, 4 Feb. 2026
The last time Alexander had been on the show, Colbert obliged, handing him a tub of pickles to bring to his father.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Jan. 2026
Marshall, like all the rest of them, was eventually let go for not knowing anything, but not before more time was wasted by detectives, who were obliged to interview most of these sideshows.
—Literary Hub, 27 Jan. 2026
Under federal law, the company was obliged to report the error and return the money.
—David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 20 Jan. 2026
Verb
James obliged, but the Heat still capitalized on the moment by selling T-shirts of him in the original black mask.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 9 Feb. 2026
Ice princesses are obliged to be polite and palatable at all times, often at the expense of their humanity.
—Jasmine Wynn, Time, 9 Feb. 2026
Temperatures outside were unseasonably high, topping out at 63 degrees in February at 7,000 feet, and the Aztecs obliged with some torrid shooting.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 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
Butler, who said he’d always been intrigued by coaching after his career was over, obliged.
—Sam Warren, Houston Chronicle, 4 Feb. 2026
The last time Alexander had been on the show, Colbert obliged, handing him a tub of pickles to bring to his father.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Jan. 2026
Marshall, like all the rest of them, was eventually let go for not knowing anything, but not before more time was wasted by detectives, who were obliged to interview most of these sideshows.
—Literary Hub, 27 Jan. 2026
Under federal law, the company was obliged to report the error and return the money.
—David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 20 Jan. 2026
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
-
Like any other cancer test—hello there, prostate—the technology leaves us feeling thankful but not exactly thrilled.—
Erik German,
Fortune,
15 Feb. 2026
-
My family personally and my business professionally were forced into bankruptcy and are thankful to be on the other side of it.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Here, the joyous and the boisterous contrast the dark and insidious, allowing viewers to both be delighted by colorful street scenes and celebrations while the rot of fear creeps in, as the details surrounding our main character (Wagner Moura) and his predicament are revealed.—
Megan Spurrell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Twyla Tharp’s ballet Push Comes to Shove, which premiered in 1976, startled and delighted audiences with its coy, self-referential humor, and its flirtation with popular dance styles such as jazz and tango.—
Sara Krolewski,
The Atlantic,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Anecdotes like these are the reason Wong felt compelled to start documenting mahjong traditions.—
Grace Hwang Lynch,
Mercury News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Never has Congress compelled the testimony of a former president under threat of contempt charges.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
In her sleeveless silver jumpsuit, Duff – who is also a mom of four – was visibly appreciative of the crowd reception blasted her direction.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Harden took the job, and Louie in the first season is a man worn down by his reliance on alcohol but also respectful and appreciative toward everyone in the hospital.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The move – and more, its blunt public announcement – may have pleased Trump world, but turned out to be disastrous for the Post’s business.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Kennedy’s concern with productivity would have pleased Charles Davenport, a powerful leader of 20th-century American eugenics.—
Sarah DiGregorio,
Vanity Fair,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Then a week later, Heraskevych received a wave of sympathetic support when he was forced out of the skeleton for refusing to compete without a helmet adorned with more than 20 elite Ukrainian athletes and coaches who have been killed in the war.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Scottie Barnes won the opening 12-minute game for the Stars with a game-ending 3-pointer in overtime, beating the World 37-36 after Edwards forced OT.—
Greg Beacham,
Twin Cities,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Our parents would have been so grateful if vaccines could have spared us.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The people who run thrift stores are grateful for every donation that supports their cause.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obliged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obliged. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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