Meaning & use
obliged
Required to do something because of a law, promise, or moral duty.
See it in a sentence
Employees are legally obliged to report any safety hazards they discover.
As the eldest sibling, she felt obliged to take care of their aging parents.
A note on using this word
The phrase much obliged is a polite, somewhat old-fashioned way of saying thank you, distinct from this sense of duty.
Words with a similar meaning
requiredbound
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Another way to use it
2. adjective
Grateful for a favor or kindness someone has done.
I'm much obliged to you for helping me move on such short notice.
Make it your own
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