Synonym Chooser

How is the word oblige different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of oblige are coerce, compel, constrain, and force. While all these words mean "to make someone or something yield," oblige implies the constraint of necessity, law, or duty.

felt obliged to go

When would coerce be a good substitute for oblige?

Although the words coerce and oblige have much in common, coerce suggests overcoming resistance or unwillingness by actual or threatened violence or pressure.

coerced into signing over the rights

When might compel be a better fit than oblige?

The words compel and oblige can be used in similar contexts, but compel typically suggests overcoming of resistance or unwillingness by an irresistible force.

compelled to admit my mistake

When can constrain be used instead of oblige?

The meanings of constrain and oblige largely overlap; however, constrain suggests the effect of a force or circumstance that limits freedom of action or choice.

constrained by conscience

Where would force be a reasonable alternative to oblige?

While the synonyms force and oblige are close in meaning, force is the general term and implies the overcoming of resistance by the exertion of strength, power, or duress.

forced to flee for their lives

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 When the ticket came through, despite the oddness, the kitchen staff obliged. Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025 The Wisconsin Supreme Court declined to oblige the governor’s request. David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 25 June 2025 But when Cadence refuses to oblige Harris, the patriarch remains tight-lipped to maintain the family’s shiny reputation, in true Sinclair fashion. Alyssa Davis, People.com, 19 June 2025 Surveillance, not least of millions of Palestinians under occupation (and obliged to use Israeli phone systems), generated startups like the spyware firm NSO Group, which soon found clients in the Arab regimes. Karl Vick, Time, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for oblige
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oblige
Verb
  • Right now, there is a lot of focus on food manufacturers, but the supply chain also has to adapt to accommodate higher demand for natural color alternatives.
    Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 14 July 2025
  • The owner’s suite can be rearranged to accommodate two additional children, and the other two cabins are convertible between double and twin.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • That compels people to shell out somewhere between $2,500 and $3,000 for courtside seats for a summer league game, as people did Thursday.
    David Aldridge, New York Times, 11 July 2025
  • So she still feels compelled to speak up for these fellow children of God.
    Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • The courtroom was so overcrowded at one point that town officials warned the building might collapse, prompting the judge to set up a temporary court outside to appease the masses.
    Angele Latham, The Tennessean, 10 July 2025
  • But on Wednesday, Ghiz said the hearing was held entirely to appease Bennett's client, a drug dealer who had demanded that Bennett argue his case in court.
    Kevin Grasha, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Verb
  • Witnesses testified about whether the original detective and prosecutor in his case had coerced them into testifying against Bell at his 1995 trial.
    The Marshall Project, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 July 2025
  • The school board responded that the materials did no more than expose the children to new ideas, and that in any case nobody was being coerced.
    Stephen L. Carter, Mercury News, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • Among those assisting are search teams and emergency crews from Mexico, who have joined overwhelmed local responders in searching for the missing and helping clean up devastated communities.
    Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 8 July 2025
  • Some 75% of all global deliveries are now assisted in some way by robots, the company said.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • Glaser told Variety that her shift in wardrobe allowed viewers to see that she’s taken control of her life, no longer following the gaudy colors and costumes her mother forced upon her in previous seasons.
    Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 15 July 2025
  • In Sweden, municipalities were forced to communicate offline using paper memos.
    Sindhya Valloppillil, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • Three simple questions can help leaders better engage with the full experience of change: • How does my body feel at this moment?
    Inga Bielińska, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • His 32 homers have helped keep the Dodgers in first place, but he’s hit just three of them during the month of July.
    Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • Legal experts warn that compliance may violate the Fair Housing Act and that landlords are not legally obligated to respond without judicial oversight.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
  • So many questions, so few answers and not much time: The CFP management committee (i.e., conference commissioners) are obligated to give ESPN and answer by December.
    Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 11 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Oblige.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oblige. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.

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