beholden

[bih-hohl-duhn]

adjective

1. obligated; indebted.

   a man beholden to no one.

   Synonyms: liable, grateful, bound

beholden

/ bɪˈhəʊldən /

adjective

1. indebted; obliged; under a moral obligation

Other Word Forms

• unbeholden adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of beholden¹

1300–50; Middle English, adj. use of beholden, old past participle of behold

Word History and Origins

Origin of beholden¹

Old English behealden , past participle of behealdan to _behold

Example Sentences

Mr Roy says that it's possible for Zoho to feel beholden to the government, especially since federal ministers have been publicising the app.

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He is in no way beholden to the GOP.

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Thailand also has a weak and fractious coalition government, beholden to a range of vested interests.

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But it was unclear whether Activision would ever see a reward from the case — EngineOwning, the company it sued, is based in Germany and may not be beholden to U.S. courts.

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But this is a White House that feels beholden to loony far-right conspiracy theorists, and not ordinary Americans.

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Related Words

• grateful 
• obligated 
• obliged