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
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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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of obligation
While media coverage has focused on unmet obligations to the IRS, the prospect of unpaid state tax liabilities is a topic that has never received much attention.
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Patrick Gleason, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Disneyland workers claimed their employers had refused to meet that legal obligation.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 17 Dec. 2024
That tax obligation then gets passed along each year to all the fund shareholders.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 17 Dec. 2024
As the year winds down, social calendars and family obligations are revving up.
—Kelly Brant, arkansasonline.com, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for obligation 
Patrick Gleason, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Disneyland workers claimed their employers had refused to meet that legal obligation.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 17 Dec. 2024
That tax obligation then gets passed along each year to all the fund shareholders.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 17 Dec. 2024
As the year winds down, social calendars and family obligations are revving up.
—Kelly Brant, arkansasonline.com, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for obligation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligation
Noun
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While specific directives are still under consideration, such changes could affect where and how federal employees perform their duties.Tom Spiggle, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
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At the same time, over half of experts acknowledged that AI will drastically reshape their work duties in the next few years while maintaining a positive outlook for their career prospects.Hilary Tetenbaum, The Arizona Republic, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
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That merger burdened the company with debt — which still totals nearly $40 billion.Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
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That last move saddled the new company with billions in debt just as the rise of streaming has significantly eroded the value of traditional cable.Brian Steinberg, Variety, 12 Dec. 2024
Noun
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And lawyers have a responsibility as officers of the court, even in the public square, to be truthful and honest.Jenny Goldsberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 19 Dec. 2024
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Russian officials have claimed that the suspects had links to Ukrainian intelligence agencies, although Kyiv firmly denied involvement and an affiliate of the Islamic State group claimed responsibility.THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, arkansasonline.com, 19 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Rocket Loans alternatives If Rocket Loans isn’t for you, there are still plenty of other personal loan options in the market that can suit your needs.Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 23 Dec. 2024
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Now, that comes with the caveat that everyone has different dietary needs, budgets, and plain old preferences.Sara Coughlin, SELF, 23 Dec. 2024
Noun
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President-elect Trump has reaffirmed his commitment to Hegseth as a nominee despite controversy.Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 15 Dec. 2024
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One of the top high-school recruits in the country in 2022 coming out of Georgia, the Florida native flipped a verbal commitment to Florida State on signing day to go to Jackson State, the historically Black university in Mississippi where Sanders began his college coaching career.Ralph D. Russo, The Athletic, 15 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near obligation
Cite this Entry
“Obligation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligation. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.
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