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

Relevance
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
In all but three cases, Biden obliged. Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY, 24 Dec. 2024 Last, but not least, as the host of a party you are never obliged to serve a wine that a guest has brought. Liza B. Zimmerman, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024 The Duchess is no longer bound by the same rigid expectations (unspoken or otherwise) she was obliged to take into consideration as a core member of the Firm. Kerry McDermott, Vogue, 20 Dec. 2024 Theaters obliged by dropping the latter; and stars such as Joseph Grimaldi and his slapstick ilk gradually moved over to circus entertainment, where clown work fit right in. The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 18 Dec. 2024 When a small school in Georgia obliged, Iltchev jumped at the opportunity, quickly improving his English and parlaying his talent as a youth champion at tennis back in Bulgaria into another scholarship to a small Christian college in South Carolina. Alex Konrad, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024 The word for the fifth-act climax of risotto—the scene in which the butter (preferably cold, from the fridge) and the Parmesan are brought onstage and obliged to mingle with the other characters—is mantecatura. Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2024 The scoreboard operator obliged but restarted the clock after several seconds had elapsed. Ben Standig, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024 The shooter obliged, pulling down his mask long enough for the surveillance camera to capture his face. Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 6 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obliged
Adjective
  • Burger, a Missouri native, was thankful for all the people around the country who have given him support.
    Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Coach Dan Campbell, though, said Montgomery is a tone-setting running back the team values and is thankful to have him back.
    Larry Lage, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The bipartisan vote for release marks a significant shift, as Republicans in the full House had previously blocked two Democratic resolutions that would have compelled the report's release.
    Gord Magill, Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2024
  • Without China making the first move, Chinese firms will be compelled by genuine market forces rather than often heavy-handed and inefficient state mandates to realize Xi’s vision.
    Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Hopper was appreciative of her son's school for allowing him this time.
    John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025
  • Here’s are a few ways to be more appreciative of your partner this year: Recognize the little things.
    Mark Travers, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Within days of the first flames, the shelter — which was overwhelmed by donations of food bowls, blankets and large crates from grateful residents — was packed to the rafters with animals.
    Johnny Dodd, People.com, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Chris Martin is grateful that Coldplay's Indian fans don't hold British colonialism against him.
    Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Amtrak will waive additional charges for customers who change their reservation, and most customers were accommodated on other trains, according to a spokesperson.
    Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 22 Dec. 2024
  • Neurodiversity will be better accommodated at work Half of neurodivergent employees want to quit their jobs, or already have, due to not being supported by their employer.
    Sally Percy, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Ratcliffe’s defenders say that his role as the DNI obligated him to speak up, even if that meant straying into red-hot political topics.
    Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2025
  • Starting in 2028, all businesses in Germany will be obligated to issue electronic invoices.
    Aleksandra Bal, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Along with the star guard, the crowd was also glad to see that Asher appeared mostly unscathed, clapping and whooping for the good sport as the game resumed.
    Bailey Richards, People.com, 26 Jan. 2025
  • Among the few positives in a game the Hornets surely would otherwise be glad to flush: Mark Williams tossed in a career-best 38 points despite registering a scoreless first quarter.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 22 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Chamberlain was a British prime minister who appeased Nazi Germany during its rise.
    Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2024
  • In some eerie festivals, the dead who return from the other side are to be feared, avoided or appeased to stop them from doing harm to the living.
    Matt Ralphs, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Oct. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near obliged

Cite this Entry

“Obliged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obliged. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on obliged

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!