sense of obligation
noun phrase
: a feeling that something is the right thing to do
We visited them out of a sense of obligation.
Examples of sense of obligation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Cage brings some eccentricity but mostly a sense of obligation to the somewhat lifeless remake of the Disney classic.
—
Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Though most of Milosz’s poetry was written in free verse, no effort has been made to force the English versions into the complicated poetic forms the poet sometimes preferred — that would have required a different sense of obligation.
—William Logan, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
True connection thrives when both partners bring their whole selves to the relationship, free from a sense of obligation or entitlement.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
Moreover, recent research has revealed that rural Americans have developed a sense of obligation that is more focused on local in-groups, in contrast with a more universalistic sense of moral obligation found among urban dwellers.
—Jonathan Rodden, Foreign Affairs, 20 Apr. 2020
Between the lines: Many undecideds are painfully trying to balance their sense of obligation with their detestation for Trump, as USA Today first detailed on Thursday.
—Erin Doherty, Axios, 14 Dec. 2024
Finding success by creating what the market is missing requires a combination of intuition, a sense of obligation to one’s client and an extraordinary ability to stay the course even when things get hard.
—Alexander Puutio, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
The novel is full of such moments, when Arabella’s own urges collide with a sense of obligation to something greater.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2025
Their united presence presumably stemmed from their continuing sense of obligation for the rituals that unite and define the nation, like state funerals and presidential inaugurations.
—Susan Page, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
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Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Though most of Milosz’s poetry was written in free verse, no effort has been made to force the English versions into the complicated poetic forms the poet sometimes preferred — that would have required a different sense of obligation.
—William Logan, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
True connection thrives when both partners bring their whole selves to the relationship, free from a sense of obligation or entitlement.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
Moreover, recent research has revealed that rural Americans have developed a sense of obligation that is more focused on local in-groups, in contrast with a more universalistic sense of moral obligation found among urban dwellers.
—Jonathan Rodden, Foreign Affairs, 20 Apr. 2020
Between the lines: Many undecideds are painfully trying to balance their sense of obligation with their detestation for Trump, as USA Today first detailed on Thursday.
—Erin Doherty, Axios, 14 Dec. 2024
Finding success by creating what the market is missing requires a combination of intuition, a sense of obligation to one’s client and an extraordinary ability to stay the course even when things get hard.
—Alexander Puutio, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
The novel is full of such moments, when Arabella’s own urges collide with a sense of obligation to something greater.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2025
Their united presence presumably stemmed from their continuing sense of obligation for the rituals that unite and define the nation, like state funerals and presidential inaugurations.
—Susan Page, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sense of obligation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sense%20of%20obligation. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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