1
as in accommodates
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in compels
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of obliges
Hayley obliges, perhaps too enthusiastically, prompting Yasmin to get involved in the action herself so as not to be outdone in the endless game of power play.
—
Alex Ritman, Variety, 26 Jan. 2026
That’s not the case, though, with preferred shares—and Strategy has issued plenty of these as well, which obliges it to pay regular dividends to shareholders.
—Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 3 Dec. 2025
Passion sparks when the algorithm obliges erotic fantasy on demand.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 28 Nov. 2025
Rasmus Hojlund is the beneficiary and duly obliges with a low finish through goalkeeper Rui Silva’s legs for a goal that will live long in the memory.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
But the Federal Reserve’s dual mandate obliges them to manage both inflation and unemployment.
—Drew O'Connor, Nashville Tennessean, 18 Sep. 2025
This step is less severe than invoking Article 5 which obliges allies to collective defense if one of them comes under armed attack.
—Brendan Cole
shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
Lest one forget regulatory tailwinds; the European Union Nature Restoration Law obliges EU member states to rehabilitate 20 percent of degraded ecosystems by 2030.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 8 Sep. 2025
Ian obliges and books the band.
—Rob Reiner, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2025
Alex Ritman, Variety, 26 Jan. 2026
That’s not the case, though, with preferred shares—and Strategy has issued plenty of these as well, which obliges it to pay regular dividends to shareholders.
—Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 3 Dec. 2025
Passion sparks when the algorithm obliges erotic fantasy on demand.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 28 Nov. 2025
Rasmus Hojlund is the beneficiary and duly obliges with a low finish through goalkeeper Rui Silva’s legs for a goal that will live long in the memory.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
But the Federal Reserve’s dual mandate obliges them to manage both inflation and unemployment.
—Drew O'Connor, Nashville Tennessean, 18 Sep. 2025
This step is less severe than invoking Article 5 which obliges allies to collective defense if one of them comes under armed attack.
—Brendan Cole
shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
Lest one forget regulatory tailwinds; the European Union Nature Restoration Law obliges EU member states to rehabilitate 20 percent of degraded ecosystems by 2030.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 8 Sep. 2025
Ian obliges and books the band.
—Rob Reiner, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obliges
Verb
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Yet many companies undermine those benefits by choosing automation that accommodates existing packaging, especially when scaling operations.—
Ken Bowles,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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Encompassing more than 26,000 square feet, the property accommodates multiple standalone units, including a two-bedroom guest apartment.—
Pueng Vongs,
Mercury News,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This same self-centeredness compels his girlfriend (Olivia Thirlby) to move out of their modest apartment without warning.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
26 Jan. 2026
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North Carolina requires vaccines without enforcement State law compels North Carolina school principals to require that kindergartners get seven vaccinations within 30 days of the start of the school year.—
Caitlin McGlade,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The discharge petition comes as Republicans have failed to put a plan for healthcare forward that appeases all of their caucus, as a small group seeks to work across the aisle for a solution.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Dec. 2025
Verb
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However, the rotation of this filament clearly dominates how the galaxies within it spin, perhaps by funneling hydrogen gas along the dark-matter filament and onto the galaxies in a way that coerces their spin while providing further fuel for star formation.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
4 Dec. 2025
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Haunted by the suspicious death of his ailing mother, Ali, a university professor, coerces his enigmatic gardener to execute a cold-blooded act of vengeance.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
14 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Evolution occasionally indulges us with organisms that seem too cool or too scary to be true, like something out of a science fiction film.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
17 Jan. 2026
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As for Princess Lilibet, 4, her mother indulges one of her current interests.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
3 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The federal law dating back to 1967 obligates government agencies to turn over records to the public with some exceptions.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
13 Dec. 2025
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Treating capitalism in general, and industrialization in particular, as a political project obligates Beckert to minimize the role of technology.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
24 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The latest 10-day outlook from the weather service’s Climate Prediction Center favors below-average temperatures and above-average precipitation throughout the first week of February.—
Newsroom Meteorologist,
Austin American Statesman,
27 Jan. 2026
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Seeing these pieces together highlights how Sherald favors stillness and clarity, especially amidst the current state of the country, and the world at large.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Sooners have made three of their four shots from behind the arc, including one from Nijel Pack that forces a Sean Miller timeout.—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
31 Jan. 2026
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This also forces soldiers wearing the suits to perform exaggerated, awkward movements to stay on their feet.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obliges.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obliges. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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