1
2
as in thankful
feeling or expressing gratitude
I'd be much obliged if you could do me this favor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in delighted
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 compelled
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 obliged
Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
Referee James Williams obliged and gave Booker the penalty.
—Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 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
Arensberg was also a board member of the Society of Independent Artists (as was Duchamp) and thus obliged to answer for Fountain.
—Howard Halle, ARTnews.com, 10 Apr. 2026
While Kadir insist on living out his dream, his wife Azize is obliged to keep the household together and secure a good future for her children.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 8 Apr. 2026
Employers are now also obliged to provide maternity, paternity and paid sick leave from the moment an employee joins.
—Ian King, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2026
The famously-shy sophomore obliged, several of her teammates whipping out their phones to record the big moment.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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
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
Arensberg was also a board member of the Society of Independent Artists (as was Duchamp) and thus obliged to answer for Fountain.
—Howard Halle, ARTnews.com, 10 Apr. 2026
While Kadir insist on living out his dream, his wife Azize is obliged to keep the household together and secure a good future for her children.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 8 Apr. 2026
Employers are now also obliged to provide maternity, paternity and paid sick leave from the moment an employee joins.
—Ian King, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2026
The famously-shy sophomore obliged, several of her teammates whipping out their phones to record the big moment.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 1 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
-
Aaron Goldenthal said the family business is thankful for its customers.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
24 Apr. 2026
-
At the time, many voters were extremely thankful that their governor had rejected costly federal overreach into Florida that would have destroyed the state economy while failing to effectively prevent the spread of the coronavirus.—
Thomas C. Shank,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That could spell the end of the line for Sporkey, Rex, Hamm, Bo Peep and the other dolls and action figures that once delighted Bonnie.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Those interested in sampling local cuisine will be delighted by the varied dining options, including down-home barbecue joints, classic diners, and an ever-growing selection of spots featuring global cuisines.—
Ellie Nan Storck,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Shiver, who no longer works at Michigan, said she felt compelled to speak out so other young women are not caught in similar circumstances.—
David K. Li,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Given his Day 3 status, the Panthers won’t feel compelled to rush him into starter duty.—
Mike Kaye
April 22,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Trump had been appreciative, and the two had chatted by phone to hash out the timing of the endorsement announcement.—
Russell Berman,
The Atlantic,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Bronny is appreciative of the coaches’ trust in him.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 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
-
He was forced off with what looked like a hamstring injury, and with only four matches remaining, there is now a very real possibility that Salah has played his final game for Liverpool.—
Abdul Rehman,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Even though the pushing and throwing motions forced the robots into excursions near the boundaries of their physical workspaces, and the pick-and-place maneuver demanded complex internal mathematical checks, all three machines were able to learn a functional policy via a single human demonstration.—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
During a July 31, 2023, jury trial, prosecutors argued Pino was rightly concerned that Hollis was a threat to him and his family, and chastised Hollis for not being grateful to Pino for putting his life on the line to save hers.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
-
For now, there’s a multitude of actors grateful just to be employed, and to be learning more about the world.—
Chang Che,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obliged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obliged. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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