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
Because their relationship is a cornerstone of their brand, influencers often feel a sense of obligation to keep their followers informed about its status, especially if the relationship ends.
—
Giana Levy, refinery29.com, 10 Oct. 2024
Additionally, recipients are less likely to offer help when these expectations are explicit, indicating that a sense of obligation can suppress gratitude.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 15 Sep. 2024
But importantly, that sense of obligation doesn’t come from external sources.
—Julie Kliegman, Outside Online, 9 Sep. 2024
Embracing a sense of obligation beyond ourselves and serving in ways that honor communal interests benefits us all.
—Ebony Flake, Essence, 31 Aug. 2024
Sarah began to feel an increased sense of obligation, in addition to guilt and stress.
—Luis Velasquez, Harvard Business Review, 23 Feb. 2024
Perhaps a Dutch Nazi, acting on ideology or a simple desire for financial profit, relayed critical information to German authorities in Amsterdam; perhaps an anonymous caller phoned the police out of a misguided sense of obligation to obey the law and report wrongdoing.
—TIME, 2 Aug. 2024
This sense of obligation has led him to do incredible, valuable, lifesaving things with his money.
—Kelsey Piper, Vox, 26 July 2024
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
Giana Levy, refinery29.com, 10 Oct. 2024
Additionally, recipients are less likely to offer help when these expectations are explicit, indicating that a sense of obligation can suppress gratitude.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 15 Sep. 2024
But importantly, that sense of obligation doesn’t come from external sources.
—Julie Kliegman, Outside Online, 9 Sep. 2024
Embracing a sense of obligation beyond ourselves and serving in ways that honor communal interests benefits us all.
—Ebony Flake, Essence, 31 Aug. 2024
Sarah began to feel an increased sense of obligation, in addition to guilt and stress.
—Luis Velasquez, Harvard Business Review, 23 Feb. 2024
Perhaps a Dutch Nazi, acting on ideology or a simple desire for financial profit, relayed critical information to German authorities in Amsterdam; perhaps an anonymous caller phoned the police out of a misguided sense of obligation to obey the law and report wrongdoing.
—TIME, 2 Aug. 2024
This sense of obligation has led him to do incredible, valuable, lifesaving things with his money.
—Kelsey Piper, Vox, 26 July 2024
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
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 5 Nov. 2024.
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