OBLIGED Synonyms: 117 Similar and Opposite Words

obliged 1 of 2

adjective

as in obligated

being under obligation for a favor or gift my new neighbor gave me a Christmas present, and now I feel obliged to reciprocate

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as in thankful

feeling or expressing gratitude I'd be much obliged if you could do me this favor

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

obliged

2 of 2

verb

past tense of oblige

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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

Verb

This tweak doubles the amount of time a player is obliged to wait on the sidelines from 30 seconds to one minute. — Graham Scott, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 There’s also a June 4 deadline for the expiration of a deal, with Paramount obliged to pay a $7 billion termination fee. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2026 Like most neighborhood kids, Wang was obliged to help with household chores after class, especially churning soymilk by endlessly hauling his uncle’s giant stone mill around. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 18 Aug. 2026 Grandparents transfer cultural values and practical wisdom to other family members, while younger family members are obliged to take care of their elders as time goes by. — Kaitlyn Gomez, Charlotte Observer, 17 Aug. 2026 Smotrich says the ultra-Orthodox should be obliged to serve, but that arresting them would create division. — Reuters, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2026 What changes from one announcement to the next is who is obliged to deliver it. — Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Rollins obliged, leaving his Shield mask in the middle of the ring. — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026 The Development Authority of Fulton County, also known as Develop Fulton, obliged during its Tuesday meeting, unanimously providing preliminary approval for the incentive. — Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 29 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for obliged

Adjective

The spokesperson did not respond to specific questions including what the legal basis would be for rescinding obligated funding.

— Jan Ellen Spiegel, Hartford Courant, 8 Aug. 2025

Definition of obligated

Verb

Management also gave positive forward-looking guidance, marked by a record current quarter pipeline that compelled it to raise its full-year top-line growth forecast.

— Paulina Likos, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
If she were truly compelled by a voice, Sprague said, Clancy would have succeeded.

— Sumiko Corley, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of compelled

Adjective

Din-Mbuh, a senior defensive tackle from Aledo, was appreciative of playing in front of hometown fans on an international stage and also had a message for the Tar Heels.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026
Residents, even those appreciative for Congresswoman Frederica Wilson’s 15-year tenure, are ready for a change.

— Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026

Definition of appreciative

Verb

As more cars wrecked behind the incident, NASCAR was forced to throw the caution flag — freezing the field with Preece in front.

— Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Sometimes, operators were forced to drain one pond and divert its water to save fish in another, the Hungarian Aquaculture and Fisheries Inter-branch Organization said in early August.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of forced

Adjective

Either way, parents are grateful Ron Bullaro had another idea to keep her memory alive, the kind of unusual request that Golding and her team are used to getting.

— Michael Collins, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
And how’s Mike Leigh feeling today — at peace, grateful, restless?

— Clayton Davis, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of grateful

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obliged

obliges

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“Obliged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obliged. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of obliged

adjective

verb

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