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
Gerris had obliged, lying with every other word, since he dare not tell the truth of who they’d been or why they’d come.
From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin
