obliged 1 of 2

Definition of obligednext
1
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2

obliged

2 of 2

verb

past tense of oblige

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
Ticketmaster’s worst enemy obliged. Devon Ivie, Vulture, 6 May 2026 Of course, Brown obliged the crowd’s request for second-year point guard Tyler Kolek. Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 5 May 2026 Each time, the friends put down their cans of Miller Lite and happily obliged. Audrey Pachuta, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026 Jack Warner didn’t much like the title, and requested it be changed to The Night Action; Reeves obliged. Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026 Referee James Williams obliged and gave Booker the penalty. Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026 Naturally, RuPaul asked the New Jersey senator to make a cameo on the season 13 finale of RuPaul's Drag Race, to which Booker obliged. Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 19 Apr. 2026 The astronauts obliged, returning detailed observations of Orientale. Mike Wall, Space.com, 11 Apr. 2026 Seeking an opportunity to be a full-time starter, Thompson requested a trade from the organization the following offseason, and general manager Kelly McCrimmon obliged, sending him to Washington. Jesse Granger, New York Times, 11 Apr. 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
Adjective
  • From Elon Musk to Jay-Z, these members of the Forbes list have an extra reason to be thankful for this Mother’s Day.
    Gigi Zamora, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
  • Faith and a little bit of luck left one teenager thankful after a violent crash earlier this week caused her car to split in half.
    Terell Bailey, CBS News, 9 May 2026
Verb
  • From 'oo's' and 'ah's' to big smiles, fans are both amazed and delighted by his presence.
    Kaley Fedko, CBS News, 6 May 2026
  • Arkansas senior Maria Jose Marin, who delighted the crowd with her Augusta National Women's Amateur title last month, had a 69-69 weekend to finish fifth.
    ABC News, ABC News, 3 May 2026
Verb
  • Starmer is not compelled to call another general election until 2029, when his term expires.
    Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 7 May 2026
  • Alito, joined by Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch, felt compelled to respond in remarkable terms.
    Ella Lee, The Hill, 6 May 2026
Adjective
  • Lynch was appreciative of his offseason training.
    Jaylon Thompson May 7, Kansas City Star, 7 May 2026
  • Despite those challenges, Thomas has remained deeply appreciative of the experience.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 3 May 2026
Verb
  • Again, Brunello was a man at ease in his surroundings, pleased to share the docufilm about his life and philosophies.
    Randee Dawn, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
  • A couple giggling teens popped on and off that scale recently, pleased, apparently, by the reading.
    Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • In the end, Erik Heil and the Germans closed to within a boat length at the final turning mark, and Botin was forced to execute a high-pressure tack to stay ahead and claim second.
    Andrew Rice, New York Times, 11 May 2026
  • Under the map, Cleaver would be forced to campaign in a district that stretches east from Troost Avenue to the rural cities and towns spread across central Missouri.
    Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 10 May 2026
Adjective
  • Be inside the moon's umbral shadow, and be forever grateful, for being able to witness nature's most perfect moment is the real prize.
    Jamie Carter, Space.com, 10 May 2026
  • Because, sure, the average mother works hard enough the other 364 days of the year to deserve a Mother’s Day tribute that puts her modest dreams of grateful children and a thoughtful spouse on the silver screen.
    Erik Adams, The Atlantic, 10 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Obliged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obliged. Accessed 13 May. 2026.

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