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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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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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 Get through what matters without making the entire day about obligation. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026 While eliminating progressive programs, Walls said the state should fulfill its obligation to fully and equally fund all public schools. — Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026 Power & Light, in fact, never has generated the revenue to meet debt obligations. — Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026 Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has been issuing more short-term debt to finance the deficit and is retiring long-term obligations. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for obligation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obligation
  1. duty
  2. debt
  3. responsibility
  4. need
  5. commitment
Noun
  • Those allegations include neglect of duty and violations of the department's code of conduct.
    — Derek James, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The university said Elizabeth Hall, associate vice chancellor for university compliance, was appointed to serve in both roles in addition to her existing duties.
    — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of duty
Noun
  • Power & Light, in fact, never has generated the revenue to meet debt obligations.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026
  • An explosion in borrowing costs would signal that France is at the mercy of the bond market, which has started pricing in growing odds of a debt default.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of debt
Noun
  • No perpetrators have been publicly identified, and no claims of responsibility have been made public.
    — JOHN LEICESTER, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The carrier is expected to hold NATO command ship responsibilities until mid-2027, positioning it to lead a multinational naval force if activated during an international crisis.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of responsibility
Noun
  • The film explores the contradictions of a Bulgarian town pulled into Europe’s shifting geopolitical order, where arms production for Ukraine’s frontlines collides with enduring ties to Russia, personal convictions, and the everyday need to survive.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The company recently introduced four-finger hands for Atlas, underscoring the need to design robotic hardware around practical requirements.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of need
Noun
  • The analyst believes that Marvell's supply chain commitments give it a competitive edge over rivals as customers seek reliable partners for large-scale infrastructure buildouts.
    — TipRanks.com staff, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Bailey emphasized to us his commitment to improving the state’s schools.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of commitment

Browse Nearby Words

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 21 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about obligation

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