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

Air Canada, a former state-owned airline that was privatized over three decades ago, is obligated under Canadian law to have its headquarters in Montreal and offer all services in both English and French.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From MarketWatch

A Justice Department official said leadership officials were obligated to intervene when bureaucrats make moves inconsistent with the agency’s enforcement policies.

From The Wall Street Journal

I didn’t know why I felt obligated to explain myself at all, but I couldn’t very well share my real reason.

From Literature

Related Words

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