obligated
Americanadjective
-
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.
-
(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.
verb
Other Word Forms
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
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.
Vocabulary lists containing obligated
Unit 3: Compelling Evidence
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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.
Reuters noted that the big projection would “anchor the growth story behind its planned IPO,” a story the rest of us aren’t obligated to tell.
From Slate ● Sep. 1, 2026
They also questioned whether he was obligated to go to court himself to stop the seizure.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2026
Of course, if you had the money, you may choose to pay those premiums from a joint account or manage them under a power of attorney, but that does not make you legally obligated.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 4, 2026
"Everyone needs to be involved with this. People should feel obligated to speak out regardless of who they are. Everyone knows someone affected by this. It's quite simple."
From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026
But publicly, they reviled it and were obligated to prosecute all slavers.
From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
