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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of obligation
Holgate is on a season-long loan at Championship side West Bromwich Albion, while Maupay’s similar spell with French top-flight club Marseille contains an obligation to buy.
—
Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 19 Mar. 2025
In addition, the obligation to guarantee free maritime navigation rights is one the U.S. inherited from the British, and there are no practical or plausible alternatives to the U.S.-led order on the high seas save one that would be administered by its foreign enemies, or descend into chaos.
—The Editors, National Review, 18 Mar. 2025
Real people, with lives and obligations, are suffering.
—Tess Wilkinson-Ryan, TIME, 18 Mar. 2025
Ramona Unified trustees unanimously approved a second interim report about the district’s budget projections that states the district is expected to meet its financial obligations for the current fiscal year and the following two years.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obligation
Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 19 Mar. 2025
In addition, the obligation to guarantee free maritime navigation rights is one the U.S. inherited from the British, and there are no practical or plausible alternatives to the U.S.-led order on the high seas save one that would be administered by its foreign enemies, or descend into chaos.
—The Editors, National Review, 18 Mar. 2025
Real people, with lives and obligations, are suffering.
—Tess Wilkinson-Ryan, TIME, 18 Mar. 2025
Ramona Unified trustees unanimously approved a second interim report about the district’s budget projections that states the district is expected to meet its financial obligations for the current fiscal year and the following two years.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obligation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligation
Noun
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Trump's advisers are in intensive deliberations about the exact scope of the import duties to be imposed, which officials have described as affecting trillions of dollars' worth of trade.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 Mar. 2025
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By no means was Newman the only one to raise questions about Foreman merging his boxing comeback with his broadcasting duties.—
Bob Raissman,
New York Daily News,
29 Mar. 2025
Noun
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However, the American pair left Liverpool laden with debt following their takeover.—
Tom Burrows,
The Athletic,
23 Mar. 2025
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Light: What about managing debt and other financial obligations?—
Larry Light,
Forbes,
22 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Soundview has taken responsibility for the ongoing remediation, and the state continues to closely monitor that work.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
19 Mar. 2025
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Ben Stevens, brought to Palace in 2015 by Alan Pardew as head of performance analysis, became the assistant sporting director in July 2024 but is unlikely to take on Freedman’s role by himself, even if does adopt more responsibility.—
Matt Woosnam,
The Athletic,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Viney stressed the urgent need for a wider range of options to accommodate the circumstances of today's students.—
Dan Fitzpatrick,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
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Archway Homes sets a closing date that will meet the sellers’ needs.—
Archway Homes,
Kansas City Star,
23 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Even while boards are voting against anti-DEI polices this quarter, the stakes of losing FCC approval for its merger with Skydance appear to outweigh any commitments to DEI.—
Doug Melville,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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But both parties must take the process seriously and stick to their commitments.—
Christopher M. Worsham,
Time,
27 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obligation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligation. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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