obligation

noun

ˌä-blə-ˈgā-shən How to pronounce obligation (audio)
Definition of obligationnext
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

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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

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 obligation However, the base settlement amount is around $12 billion, rising to $17 billion only if other major social media platforms adopt the time management obligations laid out in the list of Meta’s remedies and agree to financial penalties. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026 In the meantime, Alejandro Garnacho moved in the opposite direction, joining Villa on a season-long loan with a conditional obligation based on appearances. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Paxton’s office also notified two Dallas medical centers of their obligations to provide life-saving treatment. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026 For those $510 million in bonds to support stadium construction, the Royals would not have any obligation to repay them, documents say, and the city eyes using economic tax revenue generated in and around the stadium to cover them. — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for obligation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligation
  1. duty
  2. debt
  3. responsibility
  4. need
  5. commitment
Noun
  • Harry and Meghan are returning to the UK as private citizens and will not be resuming any official duties on behalf of King Charles III.
    — Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
  • There is little for police to do besides offer condolences, ask questions and carry out their legal duty to confirm the parents did nothing that constitutes a crime in Idaho.
    — Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of duty
Noun
  • In August 1998, a financial crisis hit Russia, causing a default on domestic debt and a collapse of the ruble.
    — Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • This strategy, announced after yields hit 19-year highs, involves funding these repurchases by issuing more short-term bills, effectively swapping longer-term debt for shorter maturities.
    — James Broughel, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of debt
Noun
  • Handle one visible fix, share one responsibility, or set up tomorrow’s essentials.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2026
  • For smaller practices, the development of digital outreach often takes place alongside patient care and routine administrative responsibilities.
    — Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of responsibility
Noun
  • Tokayev, who has sought to maintain a delicate balance between Moscow and the West since sanctions were imposed on Russia over the war in Ukraine, has justified the changes by citing the need for rapid decision-making in a fast-changing world.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Power becomes the bottleneck NVIDIA says the need for powered, shovel-ready sites is becoming critical as computing demand increases.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of need
Noun
  • Rezaei, who is an adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamanei, said Iran will not yield to US pressure, adding the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until Washington meets its commitments.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Despite being widely seen as a potential challenger to Infantino, the 58-year-old Ceferin expressed his commitment to UEFA.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of commitment

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obligating
obligation
obligations
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Cite this Entry

“Obligation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obligation. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on obligation

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about obligation

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