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
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
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
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
-
So, our community was really excited and thankful that everything went well with the championship.—
Ryan Gaydos,
Fox News,
31 Jan. 2025
-
Gannon said given how weak the tower was, the city is thankful that damage was relatively limited from its fall.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
29 Jan. 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
-
Everyone is very appreciative of all the support we've been shown.—
Janet W. Lee,
NPR,
18 Jan. 2025
-
Hopper was appreciative of her son's school for allowing him this time.—
John Yoo and John Shu,
Newsweek,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Clark has been grateful to watch the growth of interest in her sport during her time playing basketball at Iowa and then into her rookie season with the Fever last year.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
5 Feb. 2025
-
This year, Hurts is grateful for the chance to play once more at the Super Bowl.—
Sam Gillette,
People.com,
4 Feb. 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
-
Sarah Barthel of Phantogram is glad the band got its start before short-form video apps became the de facto route to break new music.—
Glenn Peoples,
Billboard,
7 Feb. 2025
-
The dog will be glad to be here, but won’t like the journey.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
7 Feb. 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
Thesaurus Entries Near obliged
Cite this Entry
“Obliged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obliged. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share