obligate

verb

ˈä-blə-ˌgāt How to pronounce obligate (audio)
Definition of obligatenext
as in to compel
to cause (a person) to give in to pressure the problem is of your own making, so don't think that you can obligate me to help

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of obligate His lawyers, making the motion for dismissal, argued that Kuznietsov was still an active duty soldier and as such was obligated by Ukrainian law not to speak for reasons of secrecy linked to national security. — Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026 The superstar who deferred most of his record 10-year, $700-million salary so as to enable — to obligate — the Dodgers to build a championship roster around him reached base in three of his four plate appearances Wednesday. — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026 The Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in a case exploring the extent to which companies from an array of sectors are obligated to protect the privacy of customers’ video-viewing data. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026 Trump defended Marshall in a lengthy Truth Social post, claiming he was legally obligated to pursue the debts. — Jared Gans, The Hill, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for obligate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligate
  1. compel
  2. coerce
  3. force
  4. oblige
Verb
  • Lawmakers should pass regulations that compel companies to be more transparent about how their algorithms feed young people and promote risky content, or target children based on data on their spending habits, impulsivity, or risk-taking.
    — Amy L. Kennedy, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2026
  • What compelled the British filmmaker to sell his wares to DC Studios bosses James Gunn and Peter Safran as the potential helmer of Clayface was a phrase coined by original screenwriter Mike Flanagan.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of compel
Verb
  • The initiative specifically targets performers who coerce visitors for cash or falsely imply that tipping is mandatory, FOX5 said.
    — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
  • According to Moscow’s defense intellectuals, Russia may need to change its posture to contain this trend, including by seeking new tools to keep Europe at bay and to coerce it below the nuclear threshold.
    — Dmitry Adamsky, Foreign Affairs, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of coerce
Verb
  • Rather than chasing fancy titles or splashy paychecks throughout her career, she’s gravitated toward jobs that pushed her out of her comfort zone, forced her to take risks, and taught her to embrace a little chaos.
    — Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The defense once again gave the offense an opportunity, forcing an Argyle punt, and this time, Heritage capitalized with a 2-yard rushing TD from Vargas to cut the lead to 7 points.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of force
Verb
  • Returning to the table, Walzer said that a legal scholar had recently used the jus ex bello doctrine in an op-ed to argue that the war had become so costly to Ukrainians that their government was now obliged to make concessions to stop the fighting.
    — Jordi Graupera, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026
  • That should come as no surprise; NASA is, after all, part of the executive branch, and the agency is obliged to abide by executive orders.
    — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of oblige

Browse Nearby Words

oblations
obligate
obligated
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Cite this Entry

“Obligate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligate. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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