ob·li·gate
ˈä-blə-ˌgāt 
obligated; obligating
1
: to bind legally or morally : constrain
You are obligated to repay the loan.
2
: to commit (something, such as funds) to meet an obligation
funds obligated for new projects
ob·li·gate
ˈä-bli-gət
-blə-ˌgāt
-blə-ˌgāt
1
: restricted to one particularly characteristic mode of life
an obligate parasite
2
: biologically essential for survival
obligate mutualism
obligately
adverb
Synonyms
Examples of obligate in a Sentence
Verb
The contract obligates the firm to complete the work in six weeks.
the problem is of your own making, so don't think that you can obligate me to help
Recent Examples on the Web
David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
The agency was obligated to submit by last week a report to the relevant congressional committees notifying them that D’Souza is on investigative leave, and explaining why.
—Bymeredith Wadman, science.org, 4 Nov. 2024
Melissa Cristina Marquez, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
To clearly distinguish it from NATO, the AASC should not be called a treaty organization and should not obligate members to come to one another’s defense in case of attack.
—Lise Morjé Howard, Foreign Affairs, 20 Mar. 2023
See all Example Sentences for obligate 
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Verb
Under the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, the United States is obligated to supply the democratic island with defensive weapons.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
The agency was obligated to submit by last week a report to the relevant congressional committees notifying them that D’Souza is on investigative leave, and explaining why.
—Bymeredith Wadman, science.org, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Benthic sharks, which can rest on the ocean floor, tend to have shorter, rounded pectoral fins, while pelagic sharks, which are obligate ram ventilators that must continuously swim to breathe, have longer, more streamlined fins.
—Melissa Cristina Marquez, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
To clearly distinguish it from NATO, the AASC should not be called a treaty organization and should not obligate members to come to one another’s defense in case of attack.
—Lise Morjé Howard, Foreign Affairs, 20 Mar. 2023
See all Example Sentences for obligate
Dictionary Entries Near obligate
Cite this Entry
“Obligate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obligate. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
obligate
adjective
ob·li·gate
ˈäb-li-gət
-lə-ˌgāt
-lə-ˌgāt
1
: restricted to one particularly characteristic mode of life or way of functioning
the infant is an obligate nose breather—The Journal of the American Medical Association
The Journal of the American Medical Associationan obligate parasite
2
: biologically essential for survival
obligate parasitism
obligately
adverb
Legal Definition
obligate
transitive verb
ob·li·gate
ˈä-blə-ˌgāt
obligated; obligating
1
: to bind legally or morally
was obligated to pay child support
2
: to commit (as funds or property) to meet or provide security for an obligation
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