1
as in to accommodate
to do a service or favor for
I would appreciate it greatly if you could oblige me by bringing a dessert to the party
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to compel
to cause (a person) to give in to pressure
I know you're in a hurry, but you can't oblige me to drive any faster than the speed limit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 oblige
Carrington welcomed any suggestions about how to slow another key Cavaliers player, Darius Garland.
Smart, a former NBA Defensive Player of the Year, happily obliged.
—
Josh Robbins, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025
More:Trump bristles at the courts as White House pushes executive power
In recent days, Trump and Vice President JD Vance have suggested that the new administration may upend a fundamental legal precept: that the White House is obliged to obey the rulings of federal courts.
—Susan Page, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025
And three Republican senators — Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins and Mitch McConnell — voted against the audaciously unqualified Pete Hegseth for defense secretary (obliging Vance to break the resulting tie).
—Clive Crook, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2025
Ball Arena obliged, but only gradually, until Murray cupped his hand to his ear asking for more.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oblige
Josh Robbins, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025
More:Trump bristles at the courts as White House pushes executive power
In recent days, Trump and Vice President JD Vance have suggested that the new administration may upend a fundamental legal precept: that the White House is obliged to obey the rulings of federal courts.
—Susan Page, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025
And three Republican senators — Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins and Mitch McConnell — voted against the audaciously unqualified Pete Hegseth for defense secretary (obliging Vance to break the resulting tie).
—Clive Crook, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2025
Ball Arena obliged, but only gradually, until Murray cupped his hand to his ear asking for more.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oblige
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oblige
Verb
-
The Department of Education is expected to provide guidance in the coming weeks, and loan servicers will need time to adjust their systems to accommodate borrowers transitioning to new repayment plans.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
22 Feb. 2025
-
In the long term, workplace policies should acknowledge and accommodate the dual roles of employees as professionals and caregivers.—
Christine Michel Carter,
Forbes,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
But after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Slava was compelled to devote much of his energy to the defense of his country, training soldiers in weaponry.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
16 Feb. 2025
-
Chicago head coach Billy Donovan, saddled with far more guards than forwards on an imbalanced, rebuilding roster, has been compelled to give Buzelisan an extended run of late.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Evidence showed that ComEd scrambled to give a job to Kathy Laski, purportedly to appease Madigan and McClain.—
Ray Long,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2025
-
Between the lines: Stripe tender offers are becoming an annual tradition as the company seeks to appease employees while continuing to delay an IPO.—
Ryan Lawler,
Axios,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
While in Washington, Yehuda tries to coerce senators and congresspeople into negotiating with Hamas for the handover of Liat and Aviv, although the latter’s whereabouts remain unknown.—
Jordan Mintzer,
The Hollywood Reporter,
20 Feb. 2025
-
America's adversaries, such as Russia and Belarus, are becoming increasingly emboldened to detain U.S. civilians to coerce Washington into lopsided deals that serve their political and strategic interests, experts said.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Tesla's Autopilot update is on par with BYD's mid-tier version of its God's Eye system, which uses advanced computing and lidars to generate 3D images of a car's surroundings to assist navigation around obstacles.—
Zhang Yan and Brenda Goh,
USA TODAY,
26 Feb. 2025
-
Step up as their caretaker and tackle the challenges that come your way to assist those in need!—
Ross Rosenfeld,
Newsweek,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
With three Oilers hustling to get back to defend the rush after Couturier forced a neutral-zone turnover, Michkov feathered a backhand to the front of the net through a maze of sticks to Tippett, who chipped it in.—
Kevin Kurz,
The Athletic,
23 Feb. 2025
-
At some point, builders will be forced to cut prices to liquidate inventories.—
Terry Savage,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Porter won’t be around to help when the next wildfire flares up.—
Zac Anderson,
USA TODAY,
21 Feb. 2025
-
Leave your blinds open during sunny winter days to allow the sun’s rays to warm your house, but close them at night to help insulate your home.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Pence, as vice president at the time, was obligated to recognize that certification.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
20 Feb. 2025
-
Implications Of The Reinstatement The reinstatement means that all entities subject to the CTA’s reporting requirements are once again legally obligated to file beneficial ownership information reports.—
Matthew F. Erskine,
Forbes,
19 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oblige.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oblige. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share