Showing results for "obligated"

• past tense form of obligate.
• past participle of obligate.

obligated

American  

[ob-li-gay-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

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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

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Explanation

It could be going to a baby shower, buying someone lunch, or turning in your research paper by Tuesday. If you have to do it — even if you'd rather not — then you’re obligated. Obligated can mean that you have to do something because the law or the rules say that you do. For example, you’re obligated to pay your taxes by April 15. It can also mean that you just feel like you need to do something because it’s the right thing to do or because you feel like you owe someone. You’re obligated to go to your best friend’s birthday party, even though you’d rather be out with your new boyfriend.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

obligated

Am I obligated to give the $40,000 back, even though my father called it a gift?

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 2, 2026

His companies were obligated to pay $22 million in restitution in Florida, where he agreed to never again work in entertainment or talent services.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026

And don’t feel obligated to make three if two — or one — make more sense for your budget, available burners or energy.

From Salon ● Oct. 20, 2026

“LA28’s refusal to comply with my Office’s request after years of withholding information that they are contractually obligated to provide to the City of L.A. is unacceptable,” Mejia said in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026

Supreme Court precedent, that Hooks had charges against him dismissed in exchange for cooperation with authorities was information that the State was obligated to reveal to the defense.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

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Related Words

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

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