beholden

adjective

bi-ˈhōl-dən How to pronounce beholden (audio)
Definition of beholdennext
as in obligated
being under obligation for a favor or gift not wanting to be beholden to anyone, he insisted on paying his own way

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 beholden This reader hopes that will be a rebuttal to all the dubious America 250 content flooding orgs beholden to the neutered NEA. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 16 June 2026 This relax-about-skin-cancer approach, Jacobsen believes, particularly applies for people with darker skin tones, who have been beholden to medical guidelines developed primarily for white folks. — Kara McGrath, Allure, 16 June 2026 The Guardians are once again beholden to the platoon advantage. — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 11 June 2026 It’s been beholden to the performance of big tech stocks such as SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics. — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for beholden
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beholden
  1. obligated
  2. indebted
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
Definition of obligated
Adjective
  • Sanon’s lawyers argue instead that their client, whom prosecutors portray as a deeply indebted man hoping to replace Moïse through a violent overthrow of his government, had nothing to do with the assassination.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026
  • John Rogers Former Federal Reserve official Rogers later acknowledged to investigators that he was deeply indebted to Lee.
    — Eamon Javers, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of indebted

Browse Nearby Words

behold
beholden
beholding
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Cite this Entry

“Beholden.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beholden. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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