oblige
5 synonyms and 1 antonym for oblige, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To require someone to do something, by law, duty, or circumstance.
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 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.
