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Showing results for beholden. Search instead for behordani.
Definitions

beholden

[bih-hohl-duhn] / bɪˈhoʊl dən /
ADJECTIVE
indebted
Synonyms
STRONGEST
grateful obligated obliged
STRONG
bound owing
WEAK
in hock into on a string on the arm on the cuff on the tab owe one responsible under obligation
Antonyms
WEAK
ingrateful

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“So, I’m not beholden to it, but I like him in the three-hole right now.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 19, 2026

Writers are beholden to truth rather than any particular narrative form, and the deconstructive and interior turns in fiction have yielded great works.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 12, 2025

“Bread of Angels” is her story, and in choosing to write this book, she was only beholden to her own muses.

From Salon • Nov. 11, 2025

"If companies are determined to increase pricing, it is beholden on us to make sure that customers are able to go elsewhere as easily as possible."

From BBC • Nov. 3, 2025

She didn’t mean to seem unfriendly or even ungrateful, though it was tiresome to be always beholden to Amelia.

From "Lyddie" by Katherine Paterson