OBLIGING Synonyms: 112 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'obliging' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of obliging are amiable , complaisant , and good-natured . While all these words mean "having the desire or disposition to please," obliging stresses a friendly readiness to be helpful. // our obliging innkeeper found us a bigger room

Q: When is it sensible to use 'amiable' instead of 'obliging'?

The words amiable and obliging can be used in similar contexts, but amiable implies having qualities that make one liked and easy to deal with. // an amiable teacher not easily annoyed

Q: When might 'complaisant' be a better fit than 'obliging'?

While in some cases nearly identical to obliging , complaisant often implies passivity or a yielding to others because of weakness. // was too complaisant to protest a decision he thought unfair

Q: In what contexts can 'good-natured' take the place of 'obliging'?

The meanings of good-natured and obliging largely overlap; however, good-natured implies cheerfulness or helpfulness and sometimes a willingness to be imposed upon. // a good-natured girl who was always willing to pitch in

obliging 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈblī-jiŋ

Definition of obliging next

as in friendly

willing to do a favor an obliging concierge used her pull to get us reservations at the town's hottest restaurant

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

obliging

2 of 2

verb

present participle of oblige

as in accommodating

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in coercing

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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word obliging distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of obliging are amiable, complaisant, and good-natured. While all these words mean "having the desire or disposition to please," obliging stresses a friendly readiness to be helpful.

our obliging innkeeper found us a bigger room

When is it sensible to use amiable instead of obliging?

The words amiable and obliging can be used in similar contexts, but amiable implies having qualities that make one liked and easy to deal with.

an amiable teacher not easily annoyed

When might complaisant be a better fit than obliging?

While in some cases nearly identical to obliging, complaisant often implies passivity or a yielding to others because of weakness.

was too complaisant to protest a decision he thought unfair

In what contexts can good-natured take the place of obliging?

The meanings of good-natured and obliging largely overlap; however, good-natured implies cheerfulness or helpfulness and sometimes a willingness to be imposed upon.

a good-natured girl who was always willing to pitch in

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 obliging

Adjective

The university's student newspaper, The Villanovan, reported that the actor was handing out water and snacks (and obliging selfie requests) on that campus as well. —

Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 5 Nov. 2024 But on this day’s errand, in the New Pioneer produce aisle, Greenwell could be mistaken for someone a little more quotidian: an obliging, slightly flustered midwestern husband. —

Sarah Thankam Mathews, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2024 Driver and Adelaide Clemens (as Essie) in Hold On to Me Darling Photo: Julieta Cervantes Buzzing around McCrane’s many affairs, both personal and professional, is his pathologically obliging and ever-present assistant, Jimmy. —

Christopher Barnard, Vogue, 17 Oct. 2024 This is a consequence of complaints about the subservient and obliging female voices of Sky and, earlier, of Siri and Alexa. —

Jill Lepore, The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for obliging

Recent Examples of Synonyms for obliging

Adjective

My interactions with other people became fraught with anxiety almost immediately upon making the switch; even a friendly handshake held the potential for disaster.

— Chioma Nnadi, Vogue, 23 Jan. 2025
While the link between the Maduro regime and the Tren de Aragua has for long been suspected, the news coming out of Chile this week is being viewed as further evidence that the links between the two go beyond a friendly relationship.

— Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2025