1
2
as in thankful
feeling or expressing gratitude
I'd be much obliged if you could do me this favor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in delighted
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
2
as in compelled
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of obliged
Bennett Conlin, Baltimore Sun, 24 Mar. 2025
As a non-contract player, Yeovil Town were not obliged to pay anything for him but did offer a small fee.
—Simon Hughes, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025
Whether the head coach truly obliged Fudd’s request remains a point of contention.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 23 Mar. 2025
In the feature, when sister Berta is thrown out of her rehab center, sister Alicia, who has forged a comfortable life in the Galician capital of Santiago de Compostela, feels obliged to return to Pobra do Caramiñal, where she was born.
—Jamie Lang, Variety, 22 Mar. 2025
And don't feel obliged to buy a matching set.
—Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2025
Most currencies are obliged to settle on a T+2 basis—meaning transactions can take up to two full days to clear.
—Ozan Ozerk, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Under the contract with Miami-Dade, unpaid violations can be sold to a collection agency with the district obliged to assist in collection.
—Clara-Sophia Daly, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2025
After being made to feel guilty for not paying her any attention, the owners felt obliged to continue their game of fetch and entertain the feline, who is clearly a brilliant actress.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
Willard obliged, giving the soon-to-be NBA draft pick the team’s final shot.
—Bennett Conlin, Baltimore Sun, 24 Mar. 2025
As a non-contract player, Yeovil Town were not obliged to pay anything for him but did offer a small fee.
—Simon Hughes, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025
Whether the head coach truly obliged Fudd’s request remains a point of contention.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 23 Mar. 2025
In the feature, when sister Berta is thrown out of her rehab center, sister Alicia, who has forged a comfortable life in the Galician capital of Santiago de Compostela, feels obliged to return to Pobra do Caramiñal, where she was born.
—Jamie Lang, Variety, 22 Mar. 2025
And don't feel obliged to buy a matching set.
—Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2025
Most currencies are obliged to settle on a T+2 basis—meaning transactions can take up to two full days to clear.
—Ozan Ozerk, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Under the contract with Miami-Dade, unpaid violations can be sold to a collection agency with the district obliged to assist in collection.
—Clara-Sophia Daly, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2025
After being made to feel guilty for not paying her any attention, the owners felt obliged to continue their game of fetch and entertain the feline, who is clearly a brilliant actress.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obliged
Adjective
-
Despite her neighbor's persistence, Goffey was thankful to get Luco back and take her home.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 July 2025
-
This was what turning ten meant to me—not a celebration of what had come before but a thankful distance from the familiar elements of my life.—
Jhumpa Lahiri,
New Yorker,
30 June 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
-
One reader was appreciative that the downtown retains its period charm.—
Elizabeth Cantrell,
Travel + Leisure,
8 July 2025
-
Children seem especially appreciative of this touch — every one of them took the opportunity to twist the display bikes’ throttles while emulating the sounds of a revving engine.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 July 2025
Adjective
-
Conner is incredibly grateful to the MNPD for their time and efforts to carefully investigate this tragic accident and has continued to cooperate at all times.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
11 July 2025
-
My own relation to the magazine has been one of a grateful reader and then of a grateful contributor.—
John Updike,
New Yorker,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
Large animals are being accommodated at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
Newsweek,
9 Jan. 2025
-
However, after more than two seasons, Adams asked to be traded last September, and the Raiders eventually accommodated his request.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
6 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
But negative guidance from the CDC may affect insurance coverage because insurers are only obligated to cover vaccines that have been recommended by the agency.—
Joshua P. Cohen,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
-
While Gastineau suggests the omission of his alleged handshake with Favre alters the analysis, a film company isn’t obligated to show the entirety of an event.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
In that moment, Lindsey recalls being surrounded by loved ones, and glad to know what happened to her little girl.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
13 July 2025
-
Suzie Whitelaw, founder of Save Our Beaches San Clemente, was glad to hear the two-year study was back on track, after emergency work needs slowed progress.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
13 July 2025
Verb
-
One person who knows both sides well wonders if the NBA might risk a lawsuit if Dolan is not appeased in some way, or if MSG Networks goes bankrupt.—
Mike Vorkunov,
The Athletic,
25 Mar. 2025
-
Many people have been comparing the Munich conference to 1938, saying Putin was being appeased, because Munich was also the site of appeasement of Hitler.—
Isaac Chotiner,
The New Yorker,
21 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obliged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obliged. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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