as in to compel
to cause (a person) to give in to pressure
the problem is of your own making, so don't think that you can obligate me to help
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of obligate
The executive branch is obligated to spend funds passed by Congress.
—
Seth Klamann, The Denver Post, 28 Jan. 2025
Many democracies have state or public media that are obligated, at least in principle, to give equal time to all sides.
—Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2025
Under the Taiwan Relations Act, the US is legally obligated to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself.
—Eric Cheung, CNN, 24 Jan. 2025
While private employers are not obligated to conduct such assessments, adopting this best practice can mitigate legal risks.
—Alonzo Martinez, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for obligate 
Seth Klamann, The Denver Post, 28 Jan. 2025
Many democracies have state or public media that are obligated, at least in principle, to give equal time to all sides.
—Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2025
Under the Taiwan Relations Act, the US is legally obligated to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself.
—Eric Cheung, CNN, 24 Jan. 2025
While private employers are not obligated to conduct such assessments, adopting this best practice can mitigate legal risks.
—Alonzo Martinez, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for obligate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligate
Verb
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The production by British post-punk veteran Nick Launay helps this minimal song compel your attention as the band keeps playing.—
Simon Vozick-Levinson,
Rolling Stone,
4 Feb. 2025
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The tariffs were also meant to compel the countries to take further action to stop undocumented immigrants from entering the U.S. and to narrow their trade surplus.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The Supreme Court's Bantam Books v. Sullivan precedent makes clear that government officials can't use their position to coerce private entities into censorship.—
Brenda Looper,
arkansasonline.com,
5 Feb. 2025
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The new Trump administration, however, seems much keener on wielding U.S. military power to coerce the Iranians into abandoning their nuclear ambitions.—
Rosemary Kelanic,
Twin Cities,
5 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Ferrell’s absurdity touched a third rail, not only forcing Americans to laugh at how far our declarations of patriotism had gone, but gently poking to see if there were indeed limits to what was deemed acceptable while draped in the flag.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
11 Feb. 2025
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The administration's decision to cap NIH reimbursement rates could force scientists to shutter their lifesaving research on cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's, addiction, infectious diseases, and more.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The company will be obliged to negotiate any impacts of the technology with the union and meet with the labor group semi-annually to review its employment of the technology.—
Katie Kilkenny,
The Hollywood Reporter,
28 Jan. 2025
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Israel said Yehud should have been released on Saturday as Hamas is obliged to release civilians first.—
Abeer Salman,
CNN,
27 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near obligate
Cite this Entry
“Obligate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligate. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
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