beholden
5 synonyms and 2 antonyms for beholden, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Owing gratitude or a debt to someone for what they have done.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use beholden
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
beholden to no one
feel beholden
Etymology
Originally the past participle of "behold," it drifted over time to mean "obligated" rather than "seen."
Full origin of beholden →Frequently asked questions
What does “beholden” mean?
The word “beholden” means owing gratitude or a debt to someone for what they have done. In plain terms, feeling obligated or indebted to someone.
How do you pronounce “beholden”?
“Beholden” is pronounced bih-HOHL-duhn (/bɪˈhoʊldən/ in IPA).
How do you use “beholden” in a sentence?
Here is “beholden” used in a sentence: “She felt beholden to her mentor for years of guidance.”
What part of speech is “beholden”?
“Beholden” is an adjective.
