1
as in to accommodate
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to compel
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of oblige
And machine leaders, with their own material livelihoods dependent on getting reelected by local votes, were more than happy to oblige.
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Daniel Wortel-London, Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026
Does the Pope’s American identity oblige him to address his country’s circumstances?
—Paul Elie, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
Maresca was contractually obliged to do so regarding dialogue with any other club.
—Simon Johnson, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
That this is a serious matter—not slight at all—does not oblige the author of a seriously funny book to be solemn.
—Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oblige
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oblige
Verb
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Officials originally proposed upgrading the city’s largest cricket stadium, The Gabba, to accommodate the Games, though the project’s price tag was heavily criticized.—
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The pajamas are available in short, regular, and tall lengths to accommodate different heights and builds.—
Verb
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Necessity compelled us to use it.—
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For that reason, too, the Grammy winner was compelled to furnish it primarily in one brand, RH, so that every bit of white oak would be the same.—
Verb
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To appease conservatives, GOP leaders agreed to separate the Commerce, Justice and science portion from the other two bills.—
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The country is now being led by the former Vice-President, Delcy Rodríguez, who is trying to appease Trump and fend off internal challenges, as our foreign correspondent Jon Lee Anderson explains on the latest episode of the Political Scene podcast.—
Verb
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Further complicating matters, Doe was interviewed by Phong Tran, a then-Oakland detective who has since been charged with perjury for allegedly coercing witnesses into falsely incriminating murder defendants.—
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The lawsuit accused the company of coercing customers into signing agreements that allowed the company to act as the exclusive real estate listing agent for an undisclosed period of time.—
Verb
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Sullivan also assisted on the Americans’ opening goal, a 30th-minute finish tucked away by Charlotte FC homegrown Nimfasha Berchimas.—
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The Elmore County Sheriff’s Office assisted the agency.—
Verb
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The system adapts to tone and intent without forcing app switching or blank-page starts.—
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She and other members of both houses and both parties were evacuated for their safety for several hours as rioters forced their way into the Capitol that day.—
Verb
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Conversely, collision coverage helps when your own car is damaged in a crash, whereas medical coverage helps cover treatment costs following an accident.—
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Additional mortgage purchases by Fannie Mae and Freddie could temporarily help lower mortgage costs, but that approach also could have unintended consequences, according to TD Securities analysts.—
Verb
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Beyond that, the A’s are in no way obligated to drop the name Las Vegas Athletics because the USPTO hasn’t yet trademarked the phrase.—
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You are not obligated to be everyone’s friend, nor are you obligated to make friends for those who seem lost.—
Cite this Entry
“Oblige.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oblige. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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