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oblige

0 antonyms and opposites of oblige, grouped by meaning.

Verb — To require someone to do something, by law, duty, or circumstance.

How to use oblige

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

obliged to happy to oblige

Etymology

From Old French obliger, from Latin obligare, from ob- + ligare ("to bind"). A doublet of obligate.

Full origin of oblige →

Frequently asked questions

What does “oblige” mean?

The word “oblige” means to require someone to do something, by law, duty, or circumstance. In plain terms, to force someone to do something, or to kindly do a favour for them.

How do you pronounce “oblige”?

“Oblige” is pronounced uh-BLYJ (/əˈblaɪd͡ʒ/ in IPA).

How do you use “oblige” in a sentence?

Here is “oblige” used in a sentence: “The contract obliges the tenant to pay rent on the first of the month.”

What part of speech is “oblige”?

“Oblige” is a verb.

Where does the word “oblige” come from?

The word “oblige” comes from Latin. From Old French obliger, from Latin obligare, from ob- + ligare ("to bind"). A doublet of obligate.

Is “oblige” a common word?

“Oblige” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.

How many meanings does “oblige” have?

“Oblige” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to require someone to do something, by law, duty, or circumstance.

Related words

liable much obliged noblesse oblige obligate obligation obligatory obligee obligor rely

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Synonyms and antonyms from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA.