1
as in duty
something one must do because of prior agreement
their financial obligations keep them from giving to charities as much as they would like
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in debt
something (as money) which is owed
I have to pay off my current obligations before I can buy a new car
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of obligation
The wheel tax increase is an effort to address the fiscal pressures the city is under due to pension obligations and wage increases.
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Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Kering and L’Oréal also said jointly at the time that Kering’s obligations would be respected regarding the existing license agreement.
—Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 7 Nov. 2025
All 16 petitions came from eight refineries regarding obligations for compliance years 2021-2024.
—Callie Patteson, The Washington Examiner, 7 Nov. 2025
And every year, there is talk about raising taxes to pay for those obligations.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obligation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligation
Noun
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The two attorneys made a slew of arguments to defend their position, including that the pair of lawmakers did not have legal standing to bring a suit related to their official duties in the first place.—
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An off-duty Naperville police officer witnessed the crash and pulled the driver out of the Tesla.—
Noun
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Farmers were up to the task, because the value of their land was skyrocketing, and many bankers encouraged them to take on large amounts of debt to increase the size of their operations (a move that would come back to haunt them during the farm crisis of the 1980s).—
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The review will also examine ongoing litigation with the county over the city’s $18 million unpaid water debt and identify quick, cost-effective solutions for residents.—
Noun
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Bison have carried their stories, teachings, and responsibilities for centuries.—
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By 2030, the company expects Atlas to take on more complex responsibilities, including repetitive and heavy-load assembly work.—
Noun
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Get ready for hunting season by browsing over 40 vendors selling a variety of goods for all your fishing and outdoor needs.—
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The request for additional money was made after underground utility and other site placement needs were identified while designing a new floor plan.—
Noun
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The Gophers added to its wide receiver room with the commitment of Cincinnati transfer Noah Jennings on Friday night.—
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Carrying Mandarin-style wooden ducks (won-ang seteu) down the aisle symbolizes the groom's commitment to his partner and represents virtues like fidelity, harmony, and family in Korean culture.—
Cite this Entry
“Obligation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligation. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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