Obligation — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˌä-blə-ˈgā-shən/ ob·li·ga·tion

Meaning & Definition of Obligation

Obligation (noun)

  1. the action of obligating oneself to a course of action (as by a promise or vow)
  2. something (such as a formal contract, a promise, or the demands of conscience or custom) that obligates one to a course of action
  3. a debt security (such as a mortgage or corporate bond)

Obligation (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. something one must do because of prior agreement

    "their financial obligations keep them from giving to charities as much as they would like"

    similar: burden, charge, commitment, devoir, do (archaic), duty, imperative, incumbency, need, office, responsibility
    related: oath, pledge, promise, troth, vow, word, arrangement, prearrangement, setup, compact, contract, covenant, pact, trust, debt, payment, tribute, compulsion, constraint, restraint, must, requirement, coercion, duress, force, appointment, engagement, reservation, onus
    near: grace, postponement, stay, discharge, ease, exemption, release, relief, waiver, loophole, alternative, choice, option, pick, preference, selection

  2. something (as money) which is owed

    "I have to pay off my current obligations before I can buy a new car"

    similar: arrearage, arrears, debt, indebtedness, liability, score
    related: bond, debit, delinquency, bankruptcy, default, embarrassment, insolvency
    near: quietus, quittance, repayment, asset

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Obligation

The most common words with a similar meaning to Obligation:

Archaic: do
burden, charge, commitment, devoir, duty, imperative, incumbency, need, office, responsibility, arrearage, arrears, debt, indebtedness, liability, score

Related Words for Obligation

oath, pledge, promise, troth, vow, word, arrangement, prearrangement, setup, compact, contract, covenant, pact, trust, payment, tribute, compulsion, constraint, restraint, must, requirement, coercion, duress, force, appointment, engagement, reservation, onus, bond, debit

Near Antonyms of Obligation

grace, postponement, stay, discharge, ease, exemption, release, relief, waiver, loophole, alternative, choice, option, pick, preference, selection, quietus, quittance, repayment, asset

Origin & Etymology of Obligation

Middle English obligacioun, borrowed from Anglo-French obligacion, borrowed from Latin obligātiōn-, obligātiō, from obligāre "to tie up, restrain by tying, place under a legal or moral constraint" + -tiōn- -tiō, suffix of verbal action oblige

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Obligation

Words & Phrases Containing Obligation

holy day of obligation, not under any obligation, sense of obligation, under no legal obligation, under no obligation, without obligation

Frequently Asked Questions about Obligation

What does "Obligation" mean?

"Obligation" means the action of obligating oneself to a course of action (as by a promise or vow). As a noun, it is defined as: the action of obligating oneself to a course of action (as by a promise or vow). It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Obligation"?

Other words for "Obligation" include burden, charge, commitment, devoir, do, duty, imperative and incumbency. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Obligation" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Obligation"?

There are 52 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Obligation". Common alternatives include burden, charge, commitment, devoir, do, duty, imperative, incumbency, need and office.

How do you use "Obligation" in a sentence?

Examples of "Obligation" in a sentence: "their financial obligations keep them from giving to charities as much as they would like"; "I have to pay off my current obligations before I can buy a new car".

Is "Obligation" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Obligation" is a noun.

Is "Obligation" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Obligation" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Obligation"?

"Obligation" is pronounced /ˌä-blə-ˈgā-shən/ and divided into syllables as ob·li·ga·tion.

What is the origin of the word "Obligation"?

"Obligation" comes from Middle English obligacioun, borrowed from Anglo-French obligacion, borrowed from Latin obligātiōn-, obligātiō, from obligāre "to tie up, restrain by tying, place under a legal or moral constraint" + -tiōn- -tiō, suffix of verbal action oblige. First known use: 14th century.