obligated

American  

[ob-li-gey-tid] / ˈɒb lɪˌgeɪ tɪd /

adjective

1. bound by law or regulation, moral principle, duty, etc.; obliged.

   My supervisors talked with me regularly about my ambitions and struggles, not because they felt obligated, but because they truly cared.

2. (of funds, property, etc.) pledged, committed, or bound, as to meet an obligation.

   If a parent is unable to pay the obligated amount, they are free to request the court to modify the child support order.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of obligate.

Other Word Forms

• nonobligated adjective
• quasi-obligated adjective
• unobligated adjective

Etymology

Origin of obligated

First recorded in 1730–40; obligate ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. ); for the adjective senses; obligate ( def. ) + -ed ¹ ( def. ) for the verb sense

Example Sentences

Things got complicated at that point, given that Kern County’s district attorney was obligated to recuse herself and Atty.

From Los Angeles Times

Already, Washington has declined to enter Williams’ name into the portal, citing language in the NIL contract that states the school is not obligated to do so.

From Los Angeles Times

In many states, if a card is only in one spouse’s name, the survivor is generally not legally obligated to pay it.

From The Wall Street Journal

Nasdaq has long said it is legally obligated to provide fair access to companies that meet its listing standards, and must promote capital formation for even the smallest companies.

From Barron's

The Department of Justice did not respond to specific questions, but said judges must be impartial and that the agency is obligated to take action against those who demonstrate systemic bias.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• compelled
• duty-bound
• enslaved
• indebted
• obliged