# obligated

/ˈɑbɫəˌɡeɪtɪd/ (US) · /ˈɒblɪɡˌeɪtɪd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/obligated
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. legally or morally bound

adjective · CEFR B2

feeling that you must do something because of a law, a rule, or a promise.

For teachers: bound by a legal or moral tie to perform a specific action or duty.

- He felt obligated to help his neighbor move because they had been friends for years.
- The company felt obligated to provide a full refund after the technical failure disrupted the service for thousands of customers.

Usage: Commonly used in the pattern 'feel obligated to do something'.

### 2. owing a debt of gratitude

adjective · CEFR B2

feeling that you should do something for someone because they helped you first.

For teachers: constrained by a social or personal sense of gratitude to return a favour.

- I felt obligated to invite her to my party since she invited me to hers.
- Having received such significant support during the primary, the candidate felt obligated to include his rival's policy suggestions in the final platform.

Usage: Often used when a person feels a social pressure to return a kindness.

## Examples

- I felt obligated to help him because he helped me last week.
- Under the terms of the contract, the tenant is obligated to pay for any minor repairs to the property.
- While not strictly required by the bylaws, the board members felt morally obligated to disclose their previous business ties before the vote took place.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.