obligated

[ ob-li-gey-tid ]

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.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of obligate ( def ).

Other Words From

• non·ob·li·gat·ed adjective
• qua·si-ob·li·gat·ed adjective
• un·ob·li·gat·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of obligated¹

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

According to Segal, if the coming vaccine is not free, the law does not obligate employers to pay for the cost of a mandatory shot.

From Fortune

Because of that, I was wondering if in fact I was obligated by etiquette to acknowledge the "reach out."

From Washington Post

The city is obligated to make room for 5,000 homes at different levels of affordability, based on state housing policy.

From Voice of San Diego

An extension through May would allow Sanchez to avoid repeatedly seeking approval for restrictions as he was obligated to do during during Spain’s lockdown earlier this year.

From Fortune

Once Pendergraft was certified, she was obligated to work at least 20 hours a week.

From ProPublica

Starting in 1966, Korean movie theaters were obligated to show at least six domestic films for more than 90 days.

From The Daily Beast

Are the stars of Mockingjay obligated to speak out in their defense?

From The Daily Beast

I feel obligated to sneak in a Never Been Kissed question because I love that movie.

From The Daily Beast

“The Palestinians under Oslo are obligated to do everything they can,” he said.

From The Daily Beast

“But he was not obligated to do that by the resolution itself,” McFaul said.

From The Daily Beast

And if workmen had been employed thereon, the bailor would also be obligated to pay for their labor.

From Project Gutenberg

I have obligated them to put the best quality of iron, and to be delivered at Falmouth within four months.

From Project Gutenberg

Each organization obligated itself to exercise "police authority" over its constituents, enforcing obedience to the agreement.

From Project Gutenberg

This last obligated the director to see that the girls rested for a time after the noon-day meal.

From Project Gutenberg

Harleston had walked a block before he recollected that he was obligated to Ranleigh to go in a taxi.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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