oblige

verb

ə-ˈblīj 

obliged; obliging

transitive verb

1

: to constrain by physical, moral, or legal force or by the exigencies of circumstance

obliged to find a job

felt obliged to share it with her

2

a

: to put in one's debt by a favor or service

We are much obliged for your help.

b

: to do a favor for

always ready to oblige a friend

intransitive verb

: to do something as or as if as a favor

When he was asked for advice, he obliged.

obliger noun

Did you know?

If you are obliged by a rule or law you are metaphorically bound by it—that is, you are required to obey it. The idea of binding links the word to its Latin source, ligāre, meaning “to fasten, bind.” In the most common modern uses of oblige, though, the idea of binding is somewhat masked: it is applied when someone is bound by a debt for some favor or service, as in “We’re much obliged to you for the help,” but in the phrase “happy to oblige” it simply expresses a willingness to do someone a favor, as in “They needed a ride and we were happy to oblige.”

Synonyms

• accommodate
• favor

Choose the Right Synonym for oblige

force, compel, coerce, constrain, oblige mean to make someone or something yield.

force is the general term and implies the overcoming of resistance by the exertion of strength, power, or duress.

forced to flee for their lives

compel typically suggests overcoming of resistance or unwillingness by an irresistible force.

compelled to admit my mistake

coerce suggests overcoming resistance or unwillingness by actual or threatened violence or pressure.

coerced into signing over the rights

constrain suggests the effect of a force or circumstance that limits freedom of action or choice.

constrained by conscience

oblige implies the constraint of necessity, law, or duty.

felt obliged to go

Examples of oblige in a Sentence

The law obliges the government to release certain documents to the public.

Her job obliges her to work overtime and on weekends.

She's always ready to oblige her friends.

“Thank you for your help.” “I'm happy to oblige.”

They asked for food and he obliged with soup and sandwiches.

Recent Examples on the Web

The company will be obliged to negotiate any impacts of the technology with the union and meet with the labor group semi-annually to review its employment of the technology. —Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Jan. 2025

Israel said Yehud should have been released on Saturday as Hamas is obliged to release civilians first. —Abeer Salman, CNN, 27 Jan. 2025

Everyone remembers — or, more importantly, is routinely obliged to remember — Elvis Presley and The Doors showing their faces on The Ed Sullivan Show. —Damon Wise, Deadline, 24 Jan. 2025

Inoue obliged with a blistering two-punch combination that sent Kim to the canvas. —Brian Mazique, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English obligen, oblischen "to impose on as a legal or moral duty, bind by oath or contract," borrowed from Anglo-French obliger, borrowed from Latin obligāre "to tie up, restrain by tying, assign, place under a legal or moral constraint, pledge," from ob- "toward, facing" + ligāre "to fasten, bind" — more at ob-, ligature

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing oblige

• noblesse oblige

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Kids Definition

oblige

verb

ə-ˈblīj 

obliged; obliging

1

: to compel by pressure : force entry 2 sense 1

the soldiers were obliged to retreat

2

a

: to earn the gratitude of

you will oblige me by coming early

b

: to do a favor for or do something as a favor

glad to oblige

obliger noun