ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Oblige

Definition, Meaning & Examples

Pronunciation /əˈblaɪd͡ʒ/ · Part of speech verb

Quick meaning: Oblige is a verb meaning (transitive) To constrain someone by force or by social, moral or legal means.

Meaning

(transitive) To constrain someone by force or by social, moral or legal means.

More Meanings

  1. (transitive, intransitive) To do (someone) a service or favour (hence, originally, creating an obligation).
  2. (transitive) To cause somebody to feel indebted.

Example Sentences

The singer obliged(us) with an encore.
Your carelessness obliges firmness on my part.
I am much obliged to you for your recent help.
He obliged me by not parking his car in the drive.

Word Forms

Synonyms for oblige

Depending on context, synonyms include compel, hold, accommodate, bind, obligate.

Antonyms for oblige

Common opposites include disoblige.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include compel, obligate, accommodate, hold, bind, impose.

Related Dictionary Tools

Sources & Attribution

FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0

Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.