obligated

American  

[ob-li-gey-tid] / ˈɒb lɪˌgeɪ tɪd /

adjective

1. bound by law or regulation, moral principle, duty, etc.; obliged.

   My supervisors talked with me regularly about my ambitions and struggles, not because they felt obligated, but because they truly cared.

2. (of funds, property, etc.) pledged, committed, or bound, as to meet an obligation.

   If a parent is unable to pay the obligated amount, they are free to request the court to modify the child support order.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of obligate.

Other Word Forms

• nonobligated adjective
• quasi-obligated adjective
• unobligated adjective

Etymology

Origin of obligated

First recorded in 1730–40; obligate ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. ); for the adjective senses; obligate ( def. ) + -ed ¹ ( def. ) for the verb sense

Example Sentences

Lawyers for the Maduros said that under Venezuelan law, the government is obligated to pay for their legal defense.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

Financial advisers are legally obligated to disclose such revenue sharing, and they typically must do this in writing.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 24, 2026

Ethir said she believes the department has not provided all the records it is legally obligated to give the officers.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026

Although Rigetti was awarded a $5.8 million Air Force contract last year, the government is only obligated to pay $1.3 million through 2028.

From Barron's • Mar. 4, 2026

The Baldwin County Circuit Court judge was now obligated to review our case and could be forced to grant our discovery motions, which would require disclosure of all police and prosecutorial files.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

Related Words

• compelled
• duty-bound
• enslaved
• indebted
• obliged