oblige

verb

ə-ˈblīj

obliged; obliging

transitive verb

: to constrain by physical, moral, or legal force or by the exigencies of circumstance

obliged to find a job

felt obliged to share it with her

: to put in one's debt by a favor or service

We are much obliged for your help.

: to do a favor for

always ready to oblige a friend

intransitive verb

: to do something as or as if as a favor

When he was asked for advice, he obliged.

obliger noun

Did you know?

If you are obliged by a rule or law you are metaphorically bound by it—that is, you are required to obey it. The idea of binding links the word to its Latin source, ligāre, meaning “to fasten, bind.” In the most common modern uses of oblige, though, the idea of binding is somewhat masked: it is applied when someone is bound by a debt for some favor or service, as in “We’re much obliged to you for the help,” but in the phrase “happy to oblige” it simply expresses a willingness to do someone a favor, as in “They needed a ride and we were happy to oblige.”

Example Sentences

The law obliges the government to release certain documents to the public. Her job obliges her to work overtime and on weekends. She's always ready to oblige her friends. “Thank you for your help.” “I'm happy to oblige.” They asked for food and he obliged with soup and sandwiches.

Recent Examples on the Web The Chilean text would oblige the state to actually receive Indigenous people’s consent, and not just try to obtain it — going further than what is required by international law.

BostonGlobe.com, 2 Sep. 2022 Dividends oblige companies to pay shareholders on a quarterly or annual basis, meaning executives must have visibility into future cash flows and allocate sufficient capital to cover payments.

Mark Maurer, WSJ, 29 Aug. 2022 However, that might oblige her to stay in the country.

Jim Heintz, ajc, 7 July 2022 However, that might oblige her to stay in the country.

Jim Heintz, Chicago Tribune, 7 July 2022 The Russian demands would oblige Washington and its allies to pledge to halt NATO's eastward expansion to include other ex-Soviet republics and rescind a 2008 promise of membership to Ukraine and Georgia.

Arkansas Online, 18 Dec. 2021 The Russian demands would oblige Washington and its allies to pledge to halt NATO’s eastward expansion to include other ex-Soviet republics and rescind a 2008 promise of membership to Ukraine and Georgia.

Vladimir Isachenkov And Lorne Cook, Anchorage Daily News, 17 Dec. 2021 Which the artists, especially in the superhero/sci-fi/fantasy worlds, seem happy to oblige — or scared not to.

David Marchesephotograph By Mamadi Doumbouya, New York Times, 28 July 2022 Happy to oblige, the all-ages crowd exploded into rapturous cheers every time her perfect composure gave way to the slightest gesture.

Karen Muller, BostonGlobe.com, 27 July 2022 See More

单词	obliged
释义	oblige verb ə-ˈblīj obliged; obliging transitive verb 1 : to constrain by physical, moral, or legal force or by the exigencies of circumstance obliged to find a job felt obliged to share it with her 2 a : to put in one's debt by a favor or service We are much obliged for your help. b : to do a favor for always ready to oblige a friend intransitive verb : to do something as or as if as a favor When he was asked for advice, he obliged. obliger noun Did you know? If you are obliged by a rule or law you are metaphorically bound by it—that is, you are required to obey it. The idea of binding links the word to its Latin source, ligāre, meaning “to fasten, bind.” In the most common modern uses of oblige, though, the idea of binding is somewhat masked: it is applied when someone is bound by a debt for some favor or service, as in “We’re much obliged to you for the help,” but in the phrase “happy to oblige” it simply expresses a willingness to do someone a favor, as in “They needed a ride and we were happy to oblige.” Synonyms accommodate favor See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences The law obliges the government to release certain documents to the public. Her job obliges her to work overtime and on weekends. She's always ready to oblige her friends. “Thank you for your help.” “I'm happy to oblige.” They asked for food and he obliged with soup and sandwiches. Recent Examples on the Web The Chilean text would oblige the state to actually receive Indigenous people’s consent, and not just try to obtain it — going further than what is required by international law. BostonGlobe.com, 2 Sep. 2022 Dividends oblige companies to pay shareholders on a quarterly or annual basis, meaning executives must have visibility into future cash flows and allocate sufficient capital to cover payments. Mark Maurer, WSJ, 29 Aug. 2022 However, that might oblige her to stay in the country. Jim Heintz, ajc, 7 July 2022 However, that might oblige her to stay in the country. Jim Heintz, Chicago Tribune, 7 July 2022 The Russian demands would oblige Washington and its allies to pledge to halt NATO's eastward expansion to include other ex-Soviet republics and rescind a 2008 promise of membership to Ukraine and Georgia. Arkansas Online, 18 Dec. 2021 The Russian demands would oblige Washington and its allies to pledge to halt NATO’s eastward expansion to include other ex-Soviet republics and rescind a 2008 promise of membership to Ukraine and Georgia. Vladimir Isachenkov And Lorne Cook, Anchorage Daily News, 17 Dec. 2021 Which the artists, especially in the superhero/sci-fi/fantasy worlds, seem happy to oblige — or scared not to. David Marchesephotograph By Mamadi Doumbouya, New York Times, 28 July 2022 Happy to oblige, the all-ages crowd exploded into rapturous cheers every time her perfect composure gave way to the slightest gesture. Karen Muller, BostonGlobe.com, 27 July 2022 See More Word History Etymology Middle English obligen, oblischen "to impose on as a legal or moral duty, bind by oath or contract," borrowed from Anglo-French obliger, borrowed from Latin obligāre "to tie up, restrain by tying, assign, place under a legal or moral constraint, pledge," from ob- "toward, facing" + ligāre "to fasten, bind" — more at ob-, ligature First Known Use 14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1 Phrases Containing oblige noblesse oblige noblesse oblige Kids Definition oblige verb ə-ˈblīj obliged; obliging 1 : force entry 2 sense 1, compel The soldiers were obliged to retreat. 2 : to do a favor for or do something as a favor "… I don't mind doing what I can—just to oblige you …" Hugh Lofting, The Story of Dr. Dolittle 3 : to earn the gratitude of You will oblige me by coming early. obliged 1 of 2 adjective 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 Relevance obligated indebted grateful bounden beholden thankful appreciative 2 as in grateful feeling or expressing gratitude I'd be much obliged if you could do me this favor Synonyms & Similar Words grateful appreciative thankful glad delighted indebted pleased satisfied thanking beholden gratified contented appreciatory tickled Antonyms & Near Antonyms ungrateful rude unappreciative inappreciative thankless ungracious thoughtless inhospitable See More obliged 2 of 2 verb past tense of oblige 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 delighted pleased appeased accommodated satisfied indulged helped favored assisted humored aided gratified relieved placated conciliated mollified comforted gladdened pampered pacified supported coddled abetted succored mollycoddled attended ministered (to) cared (for) Antonyms & Near Antonyms bothered failed disturbed inconvenienced burdened disappointed disobliged constrained troubled encumbered saddled incommoded opposed weighed restrained impeded deserted hindered hampered obstructed let down discommoded frustrated hobbled thwarted held back hamstrung sabotaged See More 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 compelled forced obligated coerced pressured impelled constrained drove impressed dragooned pressed blackmailed intimidated made sandbagged muscled bullied threatened blackjacked hectored cowed browbeat shamed badgered twisted one's arm dragged menaced bulldozed terrorized harassed hounded high-pressured Antonyms & Near Antonyms let permitted allowed convinced moved satisfied induced argued persuaded won (over) talked (into) prevailed (on or upon) See More
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oblige

verb

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing oblige

Kids Definition

verb

adjective

verb