Oblige — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ə-ˈblīj/

Meaning & Definition of Oblige

Oblige (verb)

  1. to constrain by physical, moral, or legal force or by the exigencies of circumstance
  2. to put in one's debt by a favor or service
  3. to do a favor for

Oblige (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to do a service or favor for

    "I would appreciate it greatly if you could oblige me by bringing a dessert to the party"

    similar: accommodate, favor
    related: humor, indulge, coddle, mollycoddle, pamper, appease, conciliate, mollify, pacify, placate, delight, gladden, gratify, please, satisfy, abet, aid, assist, help, support, attend, care (for), comfort, minister (to), relieve, succor
    opposite: disoblige
    near: bother, discommode, disturb, incommode, inconvenience, trouble, burden, encumber, saddle, weigh, desert, disappoint, fail, let down, constrain, hamper, hamstring, hinder, hobble, hold back, impede, obstruct, restrain, frustrate, oppose, sabotage, thwart

  2. to cause (a person) to give in to pressure

    "I know you're in a hurry, but you can't oblige me to drive any faster than the speed limit"

    similar: blackjack, coerce, compel, constrain, dragoon, drive, force, impel, impress, make, muscle, obligate, press, pressure, sandbag, twist one's arm
    related: browbeat, bulldoze, bully, cow, hector, intimidate, blackmail, high-pressure, menace, shame, terrorize, threaten, drag, badger, harass, hound
    near: allow, let, permit, argue, convince, induce, move, persuade, prevail (on or upon), satisfy, talk (into), win (over)

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Oblige

The most common words with a similar meaning to Oblige:

accommodate, favor, blackjack, coerce, compel, constrain, dragoon, drive, force, impel, impress, make, muscle, obligate, press, pressure, sandbag, twist one's arm

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Oblige

Words with the opposite meaning of Oblige:

disoblige

Related Words for Oblige

humor, indulge, coddle, mollycoddle, pamper, appease, conciliate, mollify, pacify, placate, delight, gladden, gratify, please, satisfy, abet, aid, assist, help, support, attend, care (for), comfort, minister (to), relieve, succor, browbeat, bulldoze, bully, cow

Near Antonyms of Oblige

bother, discommode, disturb, incommode, inconvenience, trouble, burden, encumber, saddle, weigh, desert, disappoint, fail, let down, constrain, hamper, hamstring, hinder, hobble, hold back, impede, obstruct, restrain, frustrate, oppose, sabotage, thwart, allow, let, permit

Word Forms of Oblige

Inflections: obliged, obliging

Derived words: obliger (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Oblige

Middle English obligen, oblischen "to impose on as a legal or moral duty, bind by oath or contract," borrowed from Anglo-French obliger, borrowed from Latin obligāre "to tie up, restrain by tying, assign, place under a legal or moral constraint, pledge," from ob- "toward, facing" + ligāre "to fasten, bind" ob-, ligature

First known use: 14th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Oblige

Words & Phrases Containing Oblige

noblesse oblige

Frequently Asked Questions about Oblige

What does "Oblige" mean?

"Oblige" means to constrain by physical, moral, or legal force or by the exigencies of circumstance. As a verb, it is defined as: to constrain by physical, moral, or legal force or by the exigencies of circumstance. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Oblige"?

Other words for "Oblige" include accommodate, favor, blackjack, coerce, compel, constrain, dragoon and drive. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Oblige" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Oblige"?

There are 60 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Oblige". Common alternatives include accommodate, favor, blackjack, coerce, compel, constrain, dragoon, drive, force and impel.

What is the opposite of "Oblige"?

Antonyms of "Oblige" include disoblige. Near antonyms include bother, discommode, disturb and incommode.

How do you use "Oblige" in a sentence?

Examples of "Oblige" in a sentence: "I would appreciate it greatly if you could oblige me by bringing a dessert to the party"; "I know you're in a hurry, but you can't oblige me to drive any faster than the speed limit".

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

"Oblige" is a verb.

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

As a C1-level word, "Oblige" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Oblige"?

"Oblige" is pronounced /ə-ˈblīj/.