What does "obligation" mean?
The act of binding oneself by a social, legal, or moral tie to someone.
Obligation
/ˌɒb.lɪˈɡeɪ.ʃn̩/ noun
noun ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The act of binding oneself by a social, legal, or moral tie to someone.
- Grammar: obligation is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: duty, responsibility, accountability, accounts payable.
- Useful contrasts: human rights, legal right, recreational activity.
- Usage evidence: You have no obligation to help us.
How to use "obligation"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "obligation" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "obligation" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "obligation" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "obligation" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "obligation" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "duty" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "obligation", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The act of binding oneself by a social, legal, or moral tie to someone. countable, uncountable
- 2 the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force wordnet
- 3 A social, legal, or moral requirement, duty, contract, or promise that compels someone to follow or avoid a particular course of action. countable, uncountable
"I feel I'm under obligation to attend my sister's wedding, even though we have a very frosty relationship."
- 4 a legal agreement specifying a payment or action and the penalty for failure to comply wordnet
- 5 A course of action imposed by society, law, or conscience by which someone is bound or restricted. countable, uncountable
Show 5 more definitions
- 6 a written promise to repay a debt wordnet
- 7 A legal agreement stipulating a specified action or forbearance by a party to the agreement; the document containing such agreement. countable, uncountable
"The Pupil after his Pupillarity, had granted a Diſcharge to one of the Co-tutors, which did extinguiſh the whole Debt of that Co-tutor, and conſequently of all the reſt, they being all correi debendi, lyable by one individual Obligation, which cannot be Diſcharged as to one, and ſtand as to all the reſt."
- 8 a personal relation in which one is indebted for a service or favor wordnet
- 9 Reason for being obliged to, that is, grateful for, something. countable
"I am indebted to several friends for notes, observations, and correspondence on this subject, more especially to one, referred to as "Z.," and to another as "Q.," who have obtained a considerable number of reliable histories for me, and have also supplied many valuable notes [...]. Other obligations are mentioned in the text."
- 10 the state of being obligated to do or pay something wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
human rightslegal rightrecreational activityaction - french
Example
"You have no obligation to help us."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "obligation"?
Common synonyms include: duty, responsibility, accountability, accounts payable, accounts receivable, act of grace.
How do you use "obligation" in a sentence?
You have no obligation to help us.
How do you pronounce "obligation"?
Pronounced /ˌɒb.lɪˈɡeɪ.ʃn̩/.
Etymology
From Middle English obligacioun, from Old French obligacion, from Latin obligatio, obligationem, from obligatum (past participle of obligare), from ob- (“to”) + ligare (“to bind”), from Proto-Indo-European *leyǵ- (“to bind”).