to require or constrain, as by law, command, conscience, or force of necessity.
to bind morally or legally, as by a promise or contract.
to place under a debt of gratitude for some benefit, favor, or service: I'm much obliged for the ride.
to put (one) in a debt of gratitude, as by a favor or accommodation: Mr. Weems will oblige us with a song.
to make (an action, policy, etc.) necessary or obligatory: Your carelessness obliges firmness on my part.
verb (used without object),o·bliged,o·blig·ing.
to be kindly accommodating: I'll do anything within reason to oblige.
Origin of oblige
1250–1300; Middle English obligen<Old French obligier<Latin obligāre to bind. See obligate
SYNONYMS FOR oblige
1 compel, force.
2 obligate.
SEE SYNONYMS FOR oblige ON THESAURUS.COM
synonym study for oblige
4. Oblige,accommodate imply making a gracious and welcome gesture of some kind. Oblige emphasizes the idea of conferring a favor or benefit (and often of taking some trouble to do it): to oblige someone with a loan.Accommodate emphasizes doing a service or furnishing a convenience: to accommodate someone with lodgings and meals.
OTHER WORDS FROM oblige
o·blig·ed·ly[uh-blahy-jid-lee], /əˈblaɪ dʒɪd li/, adverbo·blig·ed·ness,nouno·blig·er,nounpre·o·blige,verb (used with object),pre·o·bliged,pre·o·blig·ing.
re·o·blige,verb (used with object),re·o·bliged,re·o·blig·ing.un·o·bliged,adjective
The third contribution of human rights is that they oblige governments to develop a holistic, integrated response to the pandemic.
Why Human Rights Should Guide Responses To The Global Pandemic|LGBTQ-Editor|October 7, 2020|No Straight News
He obliged, naming specific dates on which he said he had abused Stewart, all while under the influence of alcohol and cocaine.
Her Stepfather Admitted to Sexually Abusing Her. That Wasn’t Enough to Keep Her Safe.|by Nadia Sussman|September 18, 2020|ProPublica
There is also the “blank check” syndrome whereby the host city is legally obliged to cover cost overruns, while the IOC takes on no such liability.
Want to Host the Olympics? Plan to Go Over Budget|Fiona Zublin|September 14, 2020|Ozy
He obliged the vacation request but was appalled to later find a worker’s compensation form in his file filled out by Brady citing stress and burnout, the investigation says.
Accusations Flew, Then National School District Official Got Paid to Resign|Ashly McGlone|July 20, 2020|Voice of San Diego
The would-be pope killer loves to be in front of the cameras, and the press in Italy is happy to oblige.
Pope-Shooter Ali Agca’s Very Weird Vatican Visit|Barbie Latza Nadeau|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The zoo is blessed with multiple wallabies and was happy to oblige.
Ebola's Roots Are 50 Times Older Than Mankind. And That Could Be the Key to Stopping It.|Michael Daly|October 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
To know the Egyptian military is to realize it will not oblige.
Leslie H. Gelb on the Democracy-Elections Trap in Egypt|Leslie H. Gelb|July 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
If Republicans wanted to talk books, Elleithee said, the McAuliffe campaign should be happy to oblige.
In Virginia, Terry McAuliffe’s Memoir Comes Back to Haunt Him|David Freedlander|May 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST
When little Shona Ritchie plucked up the courage to ask for a peck from Prince William, the future king was happy to oblige.
A Kiss From a Prince? Maybe Not....|Tom Sykes|April 5, 2013|DAILY BEAST
What peculiar conditions are there affecting women which will oblige them to accept work on lower terms than men?
Problems of Poverty|John A. Hobson
She requested me to accept it to oblige her, and I will do so.
The Children of the New Forest|Captain Marryat
What have you to do to oblige him with your refusal of Mr. Solmes?
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)|Samuel Richardson
Everybody is always eager to oblige a drunken man, so Ashton and Fosdick tried to get a window open to look out.
Excuse Me!|Rupert Hughes
That I may oblige you to treat me like a friend, here is a small ring I beg of you to keep for my sake.
Monsieur de Pourceaugnac|Molire
British Dictionary definitions for oblige
oblige
/ (əˈblaɪdʒ) /
verb
(tr; often passive)to bind or constrain (someone to do something) by legal, moral, or physical means
(tr; usually passive)to make indebted or grateful (to someone) by doing a favour or servicewe are obliged to you for dinner
to do a service or favour to (someone)she obliged the guest with a song
Derived forms of oblige
obliger, noun
Word Origin for oblige
C13: from Old French obliger, from Latin obligāre, from ob- to, towards + ligāre to bind