Definitions

duty-bound

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bound adj.
indebted adj.
obligated adj.
obliged adj.
responsible adj.

ADJECTIVE

bound

Synonyms

STRONGEST

constrained enslaved obligated restrained

STRONG

apprenticed articled bent coerced compelled contracted doomed driven fated firm forced impelled indentured intent made necessitated obliged pledged pressed required urged

WEAK

bounden certain having no alternative sure under compulsion under necessity

Antonyms

STRONG

irresolute

WEAK

allowed free permitted unbounded unobliged unrestricted

ADJECTIVE

indebted

Synonyms

STRONGEST

appreciative beholden grateful obligated obliged thankful

WEAK

accountable answerable for bound bounden chargeable honor-bound hooked in debt in hock liable owed owing responsible

Antonyms

STRONGEST

thankless unappreciative ungrateful

WEAK

paid settled

ADJECTIVE

obligated

Synonyms

STRONGEST

compelled enslaved indebted obliged

STRONG

committed contracted forced indentured pledged required tied urged

WEAK

bounden called by duty under obligation

ADJECTIVE

obliged

Synonyms

STRONGEST

compelled enslaved indebted obligated

STRONG

committed contracted forced indentured pledged required tied urged

WEAK

bounden called by duty under obligation

ADJECTIVE

responsible

Synonyms

STRONGEST

answerable culpable guilty liable pledged subject

WEAK

at fault at the helm authoritative bonded bound bound to carrying the load censurable chargeable compelled constrained contracted decision-making devolving on engaged executive exposed fettered hampered held high in authority in control incumbent minding the store obligated obliged on the hook open susceptive sworn to tied to blame under contract under obligation

Antonyms

STRONGEST

innocent right unaccountable

WEAK

excused exempt free immature immune irresponsible untrustworthy

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.

See Examples For:

duty-bound

In the world of Martin’s books, even the most duty-bound characters must find their compass in the shadow of life and memory.

From Salon ● Feb. 25, 2026

Sometimes, a patient makes an unconventional choice, but if the patient is competent and the request is fundamentally reasonable, the physician is duty-bound to comply.

From Slate ● Aug. 20, 2024

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 ● May 29, 2024

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

From Seattle Times ● May 29, 2024

They can’t hurt it, because of the wire cage, but Ms. Warner still feels duty-bound to stop them.

From "Liar & Spy" by Rebecca Stead

duty-bound

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

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