sense of obligation
noun phrase
: a feeling that something is the right thing to do
We visited them out of a sense of obligation.
Examples of sense of obligation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
People feel the strongest bonds of affection for those closest to them, such as friends and family; as the circle of acquaintance widens, their sense of obligation inevitably attenuates.
—
Francis Fukuyama, Foreign Affairs, 1 Apr. 2022
The two were undeterred, however, because of a sense of obligation brought on by disgust.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2024
Decades of animal rescue work have given Wood a sense of obligation to unwanted animals.
—Alexandra Rockey Fleming, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024
Kendricks agreed, explaining that a sense of obligation has weighed on him since Staley was let go last week.
—Jeff Miller, Los Angeles Times, 22 Dec. 2023
My sense of obligation for Maggie was grave and tinged with guilt.
—Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2023
Much of House of Usher proceeds less with frenzied energy than a dutiful sense of obligation.
—Phillip MacIak, The New Republic, 11 Oct. 2023
None of this is to suggest that Davis doesn’t feel a sense of obligation toward the organization.
—Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2023
In his business career, as a candidate and as president, Mr. Trump has frequently plucked subordinates from trouble or obscurity and given them a lifeline — and, by extension, a sense of obligation to him.
—Ben Protess, New York Times, 30 July 2023
Francis Fukuyama, Foreign Affairs, 1 Apr. 2022
The two were undeterred, however, because of a sense of obligation brought on by disgust.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2024
Decades of animal rescue work have given Wood a sense of obligation to unwanted animals.
—Alexandra Rockey Fleming, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024
Kendricks agreed, explaining that a sense of obligation has weighed on him since Staley was let go last week.
—Jeff Miller, Los Angeles Times, 22 Dec. 2023
My sense of obligation for Maggie was grave and tinged with guilt.
—Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2023
Much of House of Usher proceeds less with frenzied energy than a dutiful sense of obligation.
—Phillip MacIak, The New Republic, 11 Oct. 2023
None of this is to suggest that Davis doesn’t feel a sense of obligation toward the organization.
—Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2023
In his business career, as a candidate and as president, Mr. Trump has frequently plucked subordinates from trouble or obscurity and given them a lifeline — and, by extension, a sense of obligation to him.
—Ben Protess, New York Times, 30 July 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sense of obligation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near sense of obligation
Cite this Entry
“Sense of obligation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sense%20of%20obligation. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
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