as in friendly
willing to do a favor
an obliging concierge used her pull to get us reservations at the town's hottest restaurant
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in accommodating
to do a service or favor for
I would appreciate it greatly if you could oblige me by bringing a dessert to the party
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in coercing
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of obliging
Rana Mitter, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
The obliging royalty would lift their hems and give the crowd a glimpse of their sneakers and cowboy boots.
—Jill Robbins, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2025
Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obliging
Adjective
To be sure, China may never become the kind of country many Western optimists imagined in the early post–Cold War decades: a gradually more liberal and obliging member of the U.S.-led international order.
—Rana Mitter, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
The obliging royalty would lift their hems and give the crowd a glimpse of their sneakers and cowboy boots.
—Jill Robbins, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2025
Verb
Vance and his family reportedly stayed in a lavish Georgian manor owned by a light-bulb magnate, obliging me to ask whose bright idea that was.
—Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obliging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obliging
Adjective
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The result is a set of policies that has baffled some China experts, or at least raised questions about the president’s stance on America’s friendly rival.—
Christian Datoc,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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Twine also noted its subtle scent, quick absorption, and makeup-friendly finish.—
Brigitt Earley,
Glamour,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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To finish off the look, Johnson wore a bombshell-esque updo reminiscent of the Pamela (but accommodating her signature blunt bangs), an uncharacteristic smoky eye, and a nude lip.—
Glamour,
Glamour,
12 Sep. 2025
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Nimbleness — whether accommodating a star who suddenly wants to arrive by helicopter or reacting to shifting incentive policies — remains key.—
Tatiana Siegel,
Variety,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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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
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Pressuring or coercing someone into ending their life would be punishable by up to 14 years in prison.—
Alistair Smout,
USA TODAY,
29 Nov. 2024
Verb
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And many brands and stores are appeasing consumer preference for cotton products to carry them through the fall and winter months.—
Catherine Salfino,
Sourcing Journal,
5 Sep. 2025
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Rivals and analysts suggest that Ellison has improved at managing profit and loss and appeasing superstar creative talent like Tom Cruise and Charlize Theron (arguably the two most important tasks in running a studio).—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The storm reshaped the coastline, forcing a rushed build and rebuild of the course.—
Tim Corlett,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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Wildfires destroyed 12,000 structures around Altadena and Pacific Palisades – cutting housing supply and forcing victims to seek new living arrangements.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Many of the amendments are likely to spark infighting among Republicans as the party battles over whether to become more isolationist in the face of skepticism about assisting foreign countries.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Sep. 2025
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The stock is also up nearly 60% year-to-date, reflecting growing confidence in the company’s business model, which is centered around assisting mobile app developers in publishing and marketing their applications.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In season four, Mike’s control over Kingstown is threatened as new players compete to fill the power vacuum left in the Russians’ wake, compelling him to confront the resulting gang war and stop them from swallowing the town.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
20 Aug. 2025
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This approach would have put unions on the defensive, compelling them to confront the state’s dire financial realities.—
Frank Ricci,
Hartford Courant,
10 Aug. 2025
Verb
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To ensure staff are focused on delighting customers, the leadership embodies adaptive mindsets, that inspire commitment and innovation.—
Steve Denning,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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Djokovic has looked a man renewed in New York this year, delighting crowds with some of his rallies as his dances on court following his wins.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obliging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obliging. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
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