duty-bound

adjective

1. morally obliged as a matter of duty

Idioms and Phrases

Obliged, as in You're duty bound to help your little brother. [c. 1900]

Example Sentences

That distance recurs often when he becomes a character in the story — almost as if he feels duty-bound to report his actions, but is unwilling to offer insight about himself.

From Los Angeles Times

To Williams, it hinted at a more menacing scenario — at secret ties between those who threaten the rule of the law and those duty-bound to enforce it.

From Salon

It is enshrined in South Korea’s constitution, which states that the president is duty-bound to work toward peaceful reunification.

From Los Angeles Times

“I am therefore duty-bound to reject your recusal request,” he wrote.

From Seattle Times

We tried to be faithful to that, not out of duty-bound sense but because it helped to create the feeling of actual humans watching/recording/present at all times.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• appreciative 
• beholden 
• grateful 
• obligated 
• obliged 
• thankful