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

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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
  • Future you—the one who’s trying to get dinner on the table for your party of nine—will be thankful.
    Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Rubio told the minister to be thankful that the Russians are not standing on the Polish border right now.
    Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 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
  • Not everyone is appreciative of the government actions.
    Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Shifting your mindset can help release unnecessary resentment and foster a more balanced, appreciative view of your relationship.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Zane finishes them off and, while grateful for the girl's surprise assist, orders her to hide upstairs.
    Matt Cabral, EW.com, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Read the full Aquarius Daily Horoscope Pisces (February 19 - March 20) Feeling grateful?
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 6 Apr. 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
  • The charms are at a significantly lower price point, and Macaulay is glad to be opening the brand up to a broader base.
    Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Looking ahead, the pair is glad to be staying in Florida with their husbands and their kids, Hoedt's 7-week-old Margaret and Mellquist's 19-month-old Willow.
    Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 6 Apr. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Obliged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obliged. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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