oblige
verb (used with object)
to require or constrain, as by law, command, conscience, or force of necessity.
had obliged
-
past perfectof oblige.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Waller had obliged, insinuating Warsh was importing outside authority to ratify long-held views and dressing them up as discovery.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
The provincial government insists the blockades be lifted, he said, adding, without further details, that unidentified people had obliged Buritica shopkeepers to close their businesses.
From Reuters ● Aug. 19, 2022
“They would tell it to people they had obliged in the past,” Raigar said of the officials.
From The New Yorker ● Dec. 2, 2019
It would have been better for Clegg and for our poor, misgoverned country if society had obliged him to find his own way in the world.
From The Guardian ● Apr. 9, 2011
Holmes had obliged, out of respect for his uncle’s memory.
From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson
