Synonym Chooser

How is the word oblige different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of oblige are coerce, compel, constrain, and force. While all these words mean "to make someone or something yield," oblige implies the constraint of necessity, law, or duty.

felt obliged to go

When would coerce be a good substitute for oblige?

Although the words coerce and oblige have much in common, coerce suggests overcoming resistance or unwillingness by actual or threatened violence or pressure.

coerced into signing over the rights

When might compel be a better fit than oblige?

The words compel and oblige can be used in similar contexts, but compel typically suggests overcoming of resistance or unwillingness by an irresistible force.

compelled to admit my mistake

When can constrain be used instead of oblige?

The meanings of constrain and oblige largely overlap; however, constrain suggests the effect of a force or circumstance that limits freedom of action or choice.

constrained by conscience

Where would force be a reasonable alternative to oblige?

While the synonyms force and oblige are close in meaning, force is the general term and implies the overcoming of resistance by the exertion of strength, power, or duress.

forced to flee for their lives

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 oblige Friction point: Carter wrote that the council was obliged to follow precedent in deciding the zoning appeal, and that city officials had formally determined that a truck facility was an appropriate use for the property. Kyle Stokes, Axios, 20 Mar. 2025 The President is of course obliged to obey lawful congressional statutes. Jeannie Suk Gersen, The New Yorker, 13 Feb. 2025 They are obliged to tolerate each other in sharing and navigating this dangerous and uncompromising new world. Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 12 Feb. 2025 Ball Arena obliged, but only gradually, until Murray cupped his hand to his ear asking for more. Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 12 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for oblige
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oblige
Verb
  • Modern mainframes offer significant processing power, handling up to 30,000 transactions per second, and can accommodate substantial data with up to 40 terabytes of memory.
    Melody Brue, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The new bridge is an 80-foot-long, single-span bridge to provide better flow of water in Columbia Hollow Creek and is wide enough for two lanes of traffic and is designed to accommodate all legal loads.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In response to the AFT’s request for a temporary restraining order to compel the department to resume IDR application processing, the Department of Education filed papers in court last week indicating that processing for ICR, IBR, and PAYE applications would be resuming in the coming weeks.
    Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
  • Cabinet members and other White House officials, including Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, claimed Monday morning that the ruling had actually been in the administration's favor and did not compel them to bring back Abrego Garcia.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The key lesson of Munich is that appeasing aggressive authoritarian regimes in the hope of preserving peace emboldens them to pursue even greater acts of expansion and violence.
    Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The compromise appeased Luna, but not the Democratic sponsors of the underlying legislation — Reps. Brittany Pettersen (Colo.) and Sara Jacobs (Calif.) — who are accusing Johnson of watering down their parental-empowerment proposal while abandoning lawmakers with young families.
    Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The settlement also adds that Google will not interfere with, restrain or coerce workers in the exercise of their rights.
    Jennifer Elias, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2025
  • If a sitting or former president can successfully coerce law firms into submission by threatening financial ruin, what happens to the idea of legal independence?
    Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Aleksander Barkov assists on both Reinhart goals to increase his total to 51 on the season.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Images circulating on social media, which Reuters could not immediately verify, showed dozens of people leaving the premises, with some assisting patients on hospital beds.
    Nidal al-Mughrabi, USA Today, 13 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • However, no amount of care or good intentions can prevent the sudden demolition of the brothers’ home, courtesy of a vague order from the IDF — for which the family is even forced to pay.
    Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Due to the alligator's aggressive behavior, Department of Natural Resources contractors were forced to euthanize the reptile and remove it from the area.
    Doc Louallen, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • This helps put big companies and small companies on a level playing field.
    Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Diners are invited to join the chef in the kitchen, help prepare the meal and document the experience for social media.
    Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • You are not obligated to have a conversation with the police.
    Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The district is not obligated to use the full amount.
    Phil Rockrohr, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Oblige.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oblige. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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