obligeverb
uk/əˈblaɪdʒ/us/əˈblaɪdʒ/oblige verb (FORCE)
[ T + obj + to infinitive ] US or UK formal also obligate to force someone to do something, or to make it necessary for someone to do something:
The law obliges companies to pay decent wages to their employees.
The law does not obligate sellers to accept the highest offer.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Causing somebody to act
- a kick up the arse/backside idiom
- arm-twisting
- bludgeon
- bounce
- bounce sb into sth
- bulldoze
- force sb's hand idiom
- forcible
- hold sb to ransom idiom
- impel
- impose
- push
- railroad
- screw
- shanghai
- slap sth on/onto (sth/sb)
- squeeze
- squeeze sth out of sb
- trap
- wring sth from/out of sb
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oblige verb (HELP)
C1 [ I or T ] to please or help someone, especially by doing something they have asked you to do:
We only went to the party to oblige some old friends who asked us to be there.
We needed a guide and he was only too happy to oblige.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Helping and co-operating
- a good/bad turn idiom
- abet
- aid
- assist
- assistance
- avail
- bridge
- facilitate
- give sb a leg up idiom
- give/lend sb a helping hand idiom
- go a long way toward(s) doing sth idiom
- hang
- platform
- reach
- run errands idiom
- scene
- see sb through sth
- share a platform idiom
- start sb off
- succour
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Phrasal verb(s)
oblige sb with sth