OBLIGATE Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

obligate

verb

ˈä-blə-ˌgāt

Definition of obligate

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

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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 The Athletic had reported in July that Barcelona were open to selling Torres, as extending his contract would obligate them to make a further payment to his former club, Manchester City. — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026 Manufacturers should be held to the standards they are already obligated to meet. — Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026 And leveraging these new tools doesn’t mean you’re obligated to overhaul your digital experience. — Dave Foster, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 The Board of Peace has maintained that the agreement indeed requires a total disarmament of Hamas before Israel is obligated to take any action. — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for obligate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligate

Verb

Washington also opposed another streaming regulation, known as Bill 109, passed in Quebec last December, which compels streaming platforms to prioritize French-language content.

— Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
His contention for his sixth-ever PGA Tour title compelled golf writer Paul Hodowanic to follow Woodland during Saturday’s 18 holes.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of compel

Verb

Federal prosecutors claimed that Jeffries leveraged his wealth and power as Abercrombie’s CEO to coerce dozens of men into having sex with him and Smith.

— Chloe Atkins, NBC news, 21 Aug. 2026
The inspection followed a hunger strike by detainees, who in a letter, complained about rotten or worm-infested food, medical neglect, and being coerced into signing deportation orders.

— Vanessa Romo, NPR, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of coerce

Verb

As more cars wrecked behind the incident, NASCAR was forced to throw the caution flag — freezing the field with Preece in front.

— Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Sometimes, operators were forced to drain one pond and divert its water to save fish in another, the Hungarian Aquaculture and Fisheries Inter-branch Organization said in early August.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of force

Verb

This tweak doubles the amount of time a player is obliged to wait on the sidelines from 30 seconds to one minute.

— Graham Scott, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
There’s also a June 4 deadline for the expiration of a deal, with Paramount obliged to pay a $7 billion termination fee.

— Dominic Patten, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of oblige

Browse Nearby Words

oblations

obligate

obligated

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Style

“Obligate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligate. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of obligate

verb

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