obligation
0 antonyms and opposites of obligation, grouped by meaning.
Noun — A duty or requirement to do something, often because of a promise, law, or moral sense.
How to use obligation
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin obligatio, from obligare ("to bind"), from ob- + ligare ("to bind, tie").
Full origin of obligation →Frequently asked questions
What does “obligation” mean?
The word “obligation” means a duty or requirement to do something, often because of a promise, law, or moral sense. In plain terms, something you have to do because of duty, a promise, or a rule.
How do you pronounce “obligation”?
“Obligation” is pronounced ob-lih-GAY-shn (/ˌɑ.blɪˈɡeɪ.ʃn̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “obligation” in a sentence?
Here is “obligation” used in a sentence: “Parents have an obligation to care for their children.”
What part of speech is “obligation”?
“Obligation” is a noun.
Where does the word “obligation” come from?
The word “obligation” comes from Latin. From Latin obligatio, from obligare ("to bind"), from ob- + ligare ("to bind, tie").
Is “obligation” a common word?
“Obligation” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between an obligation and a duty?
The two overlap, but duty often points to what is right because of one's role or conscience — a soldier's duty, a parental duty — while obligation often points to a requirement imposed from outside by a promise, contract, or law. You feel a duty; you are typically under an obligation.
What is the difference between obligation and responsibility?
A responsibility is a broad state of being accountable for someone or something, while an obligation is a specific requirement to act, arising from a promise, law, or moral sense. Raising a child is a responsibility; paying child support on time is an obligation.
Which verbs go with obligation?
You fulfill, meet, honor, or discharge an obligation, and you can also incur or take on one. English also says you are 'under an obligation' to do something; 'discharge' is the most formal of the set and is common in legal writing.