oblige
to require or constrain, as by law, command, conscience, or force of necessity.
to bind morally or legally, as by a promise or contract.
to place under a debt of gratitude for some benefit, favor, or service: I'm much obliged for the ride.
to put (one) in a debt of gratitude, as by a favor or accommodation: Mr. Weems will oblige us with a song.
to make (an action, policy, etc.) necessary or obligatory: Your carelessness obliges firmness on my part.
to be kindly accommodating: I'll do anything within reason to oblige.
Origin of oblige
1synonym study For oblige
Other words for oblige
Other words from oblige
- o·blig·er, noun
- pre·o·blige, verb (used with object), pre·o·bliged, pre·o·blig·ing.
- re·o·blige, verb (used with object), re·o·bliged, re·o·blig·ing.
Words that may be confused with oblige
Words Nearby oblige
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use oblige in a sentence
The national creation narrative is obliged to contend with a host of destabilizing forces.
Four presidents who put Virginia’s stamp on early America | Andrew Burstein | October 30, 2020 | Washington PostThe third contribution of human rights is that they oblige governments to develop a holistic, integrated response to the pandemic.
Why Human Rights Should Guide Responses To The Global Pandemic | LGBTQ-Editor | October 7, 2020 | No Straight NewsHe obliged, naming specific dates on which he said he had abused Stewart, all while under the influence of alcohol and cocaine.
Her Stepfather Admitted to Sexually Abusing Her. That Wasn’t Enough to Keep Her Safe. | by Nadia Sussman | September 18, 2020 | ProPublicaThere is also the “blank check” syndrome whereby the host city is legally obliged to cover cost overruns, while the IOC takes on no such liability.
He obliged the vacation request but was appalled to later find a worker’s compensation form in his file filled out by Brady citing stress and burnout, the investigation says.
Accusations Flew, Then National School District Official Got Paid to Resign | Ashly McGlone | July 20, 2020 | Voice of San Diego
The would-be pope killer loves to be in front of the cameras, and the press in Italy is happy to oblige.
Pope-Shooter Ali Agca’s Very Weird Vatican Visit | Barbie Latza Nadeau | December 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe zoo is blessed with multiple wallabies and was happy to oblige.
Ebola's Roots Are 50 Times Older Than Mankind. And That Could Be the Key to Stopping It. | Michael Daly | October 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTTo know the Egyptian military is to realize it will not oblige.
Leslie H. Gelb on the Democracy-Elections Trap in Egypt | Leslie H. Gelb | July 22, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTI know some magazines contractually oblige their staff writers to produce six features a year, for example.
If Republicans wanted to talk books, Elleithee said, the McAuliffe campaign should be happy to oblige.
In Virginia, Terry McAuliffe’s Memoir Comes Back to Haunt Him | David Freedlander | May 7, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTAnd was it not possible that the E. of N. might oblige his old Friends in the same manner?
An Account of the Growth of Deism in England | William StephensJonas: La baleine fut la fin oblige de le vomir tant un Prophte est un morceau difficile digrer.
Baron d'Holbach | Max Pearson CushingAnd to increase the horrid scene, they would oblige the husband to be a spectator before suffered himself.
Fox's Book of Martyrs | John FoxeSeñor Rhodes will be pleased to unfasten those heavy chains to oblige the lady.
The Treasure Trail | Marah Ellis RyanFew were the dances in which I did not take a part, sinking so low as occasionally to oblige with a hornpipe.
In the Wrong Paradise | Andrew Lang
British Dictionary definitions for oblige
/ (əˈblaɪdʒ) /
(tr; often passive) to bind or constrain (someone to do something) by legal, moral, or physical means
(tr; usually passive) to make indebted or grateful (to someone) by doing a favour or service: we are obliged to you for dinner
to do a service or favour to (someone): she obliged the guest with a song
Origin of oblige
1Derived forms of oblige
- obliger, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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