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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 obligate
To be fair, Belichick is not obligated to share that information, especially considering that it can be used against him later on.
—
Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
Hartig has argued she was not obligated to turn the report over, and is fighting the other claims against her, too.
—Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Employees also felt obligated to conform to a certain idea of femininity.
—Thessaly La Force, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2025
Winnebago County is obligated to operate the former UW-Oshkosh Fox Cities campus for the benefit of the public for the next two years.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obligate
Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
Hartig has argued she was not obligated to turn the report over, and is fighting the other claims against her, too.
—Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Employees also felt obligated to conform to a certain idea of femininity.
—Thessaly La Force, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2025
Winnebago County is obligated to operate the former UW-Oshkosh Fox Cities campus for the benefit of the public for the next two years.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obligate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligate
Verb
-
The women throwing their support behind a petition from Kentucky Republican Thomas Massie and California Democrat Ro Khanna to compel a vote to release the Epstein files.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Sep. 2025
-
The power of Ed and Lorraine Warren compels you — to buy a movie ticket!—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Abrego's lawyers have said the administration is trying to coerce him into pleading guilty.—
Ted Hesson,
USA Today,
7 Sep. 2025
-
The allegations come amid the ongoing fallout of felony perjury and bribery charges filed in 2023 against Tran, who is accused of paying off and coercing a witness in a separate 2011 murder case.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
France’s government has collapsed after a vote of no confidence on Monday, forcing Prime Minister Francois Bayrou out of office after just nine months on the job.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Quarterback Brock Purdy, who delivered a clutch, game-winning drive after throwing two interceptions, has a bad shoulder and toe that could force him to miss Week 2.—
Robert Marvi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Then they are obliged to follow all lines of enquiry and take action as appropriate.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Ergen, who had been buying up spectrum licenses since 2008, was best positioned to oblige.—
Monica Hunter-Hart,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obligate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligate. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share