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
The reader takes on the role of a defendant in an HR investigation, obliged to absorb every detail. — Zain Khalid, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026 An employee may feel obliged to listen, reassure or reciprocate even when uncomfortable. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026 However, underwriters will remain obliged to purchase all of the shares offered. — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2026 Following the first of his three touchdowns against Ole Miss, Baugh obliged, striking the familiar one-legged pose in a corner of the south end zone at the Swamp. — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Sep. 2026 No current member would be obliged to subscribe to these principles. — Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026 The new owner obliged, as Soyka at the time, eyes filled with tears, discussed the turnover of Soyka in late 2018 to what became the now closed Latin American restaurant Chica. — Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2026 Smith obliged, caught the ball near the goal line, carried a couple Bruins with him, got a shove from behind by teammate Jesse Matthews and scored a 34-yard touchdown for a 17-7 advantage. — Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2026 With more designers this season asking to show outside the preferred perimeter, however, N4XT obliged. — Hilary Milnes, Vogue, 9 Sep. 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
  • Charity and neighborliness helped a lot — many victims are still thankful to churches and neighbors that volunteered their labor, according to Whitney Bailey, a disaster response project director at AppalReD Legal Aid.
    — Michael Phillis, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Nelson will continue to serve as the organization’s president and CEO, and is thankful for the support of his board.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Past visitors include different types of tuna that have delighted sport fishers, and open-ocean red crabs that can change the poop color of birds that feast on them.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Some of the builders were delighted by the strange setup — the sleeping alcoves for him and Lakofski, the balustrade inspired by the chain link of a nearby playground (and, maybe, a little Frank Gehry).
    — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 30 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • That’s an intentional strategy to catch the eye of commuters who might be compelled, on a whim, to stop for a quick game or two.
    — Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Yet, C-suites are increasingly tempted (or worse, financially compelled) to govern purely by digital indicators.
    — David Farbman, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • More than 80 employees reacted with approving emojis, and the first reply was excited and appreciative.
    — Garrison Lovely, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • But at the same time, very grateful now looking back, and appreciative of everybody that was there with me with the process.
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • After a multi-year hiatus from the show, Burgess pleased the judges with her first routine with Cameron.
    — Katie Campione, Deadline, 15 Sep. 2026
  • The manner in which Marcos Llorente’s opener for Atletico transpired would not have pleased Andoni Iraola, even if the Spaniard needs time for his team to understand his out-of-possession demands.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Barea’s halftime red card forced Boise to play the entire second half with 10 men.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Clemson forced a sack on the next play to make the Hurricanes settle for a field goal.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • For all his success over the years, the Dodgers are grateful that Díaz did not insist upon returning as a closer.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
  • And this column is eternally grateful for his help in getting us through another day of quadrupleheader weirdness and wildness.
    — Jayson Stark, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Obliged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obliged. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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