1
as in duty
something one must do because of prior agreement
their financial obligations keep them from giving to charities as much as they would like
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in debt
something (as money) which is owed
I have to pay off my current obligations before I can buy a new car
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 obligation
The monetary obligations changed from year to year, Jarvis said; for 2024, the payment was $36,400 apiece, and Schererville did receive the two towns’ payments.
—
Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2025
Scraping Reddit content is portrayed as undermining Reddit’s obligations to its more than 100 million daily active unique users, including to protect their privacy.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 8 June 2025
The stakes are high: the Alliance wants to place the city’s homelessness programs into receivership, effectively removing control from Mayor Karen Bass, on the grounds that the city is not meeting its legal obligations for providing such services.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2025
If another front office sees Holiday’s contract as positive value, the Celtics should strike quickly, but (justifiably!) paying him produced a remaining obligation that is below water.
—Danny Leroux, New York Times, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for obligation
Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2025
Scraping Reddit content is portrayed as undermining Reddit’s obligations to its more than 100 million daily active unique users, including to protect their privacy.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 8 June 2025
The stakes are high: the Alliance wants to place the city’s homelessness programs into receivership, effectively removing control from Mayor Karen Bass, on the grounds that the city is not meeting its legal obligations for providing such services.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2025
If another front office sees Holiday’s contract as positive value, the Celtics should strike quickly, but (justifiably!) paying him produced a remaining obligation that is below water.
—Danny Leroux, New York Times, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for obligation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligation
Noun
-
No one has the right to assault, obstruct, or interfere with federal authorities carrying out their duties.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 June 2025
-
Orlando rested its best offensive weapons after their return from international duty, opting to save them for the second half instead.—
Kyle Foley,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 June 2025
Noun
-
Yet if the revenue forecasts are accurate, this debt should become more manageable over time.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
-
The federal government is both the architect and the only entity capable of paying this long-overdue debt.—
Essence,
Essence,
15 June 2025
Noun
-
Carter will assume responsibility for all of ITV Studios’ unscripted business in the UK, which houses 11 labels.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
10 June 2025
-
Islamic State later claimed responsibility for the attack.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
10 June 2025
Noun
-
Brett Bowman Long before many recognized the need for dignified, cost-effective housing, Brett Bowman envisioned mobile home communities as catalysts for opportunity and stability.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
15 June 2025
-
Though often considered difficult to breed in captivity, this collection of four egg-bearing males acts as a beacon of hope for the future of marine wildlife conservation, ultimately highlighting the need for exemplary zoos and aquariums to support the battle for preserving global biodiversity.—
Jared Ranahan,
Forbes.com,
15 June 2025
Noun
-
In other words, educate yourself about how things work before making any real commitment to it.—
Jeanne Sahadi,
CNN Money,
7 June 2025
-
Following the first post-Memorial Day weekend for official visits, commitments flew in.—
Jon Wilner,
Mercury News,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obligation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligation. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share