obligation

[ob-li-gey-shuhn] / ˌɒb lɪˈgeɪ ʃən /

NOUN

responsibility

Synonyms

STRONGEST

accountability agreement bond burden commitment constraint contract debt duty liability necessity need promise requirement right trust understanding

STRONG

IOU business call cause charge chit committal compulsion conscience debit devoir dues engagement must occasion onus part place restraint

WEAK

accountableness due bill ought

Antonyms

STRONGEST

asset disagreement disbelief irresponsibility misunderstanding

STRONG

freedom unemployment

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.

“The only obligation which I have a right to assume, is to do at any time what I think right.”

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

Compounding that effect is the message that we have a moral obligation to pay attention.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

But at the same time, the company filed its 10-K to regain compliance with that obligation, even as the material weakness has not yet been corrected.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 12, 2026

Then there is Caine’s obligation to serve as a moral example for American service members.

From Salon • Apr. 11, 2026

Rowan joined in the revelry, but it was more out of obligation than anything.

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman

Vocabulary lists containing obligation

The Diary of Anne Frank

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The Things They Carried

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Freak the Mighty

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