obligate

/ˈɒblɪɡeɪt/ formal

Say it: OB-li-gate

1. verb To bind someone to a course of action through a legal, moral, or contractual duty.
The new law obligates all employers to provide paid sick leave.
2. adjective In biology, restricted to a particular condition of life, such as requiring a specific nutrient or environment to survive.
An obligate anaerobe is an organism that cannot live in the presence of oxygen.

📖 Seen in the wild

As a responsible citizen, you are obligated to vote in elections.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ obligate in a sentence

A strong sense of honor obligated the knight to protect the innocent.
The terms of the lease obligate the tenant to report any damages immediately.
I feel obligated to attend the wedding, even though I barely know the couple.
The court order obligates the company to cease its misleading advertising practices.
This international agreement obligates signatory nations to cooperate on climate change.
He felt obligated to tell the truth, regardless of the personal consequences.
The scholarship obligates recipients to maintain a certain grade point average.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

compel require bind force constrain necessitate impel

compel · suggests force or irresistible pressure, often against one's will

require · implies a necessary condition or a formal demand

bind · emphasizes a strong, often unbreakable connection or promise

force · indicates direct coercion or the use of power

Opposites: release, free, exempt, absolve, acquit

🌱 Where it comes from

The word 'obligate' traces back to the Latin 'obligare', meaning 'to bind to' or 'to pledge'. It's built from 'ob-' (to, toward) and 'ligare' (to bind), the same root that gives us 'ligament' and 'religion'. The sense of being tied or bound to a duty has remained at its core for centuries.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

legally obligatedmorally obligatedcontractually obligatedfeel obligated toobligate someone to do something

Use 'obligate' for strong, binding duties, especially those related to law, contracts, or serious moral principles. It is more formal and forceful than its cousin, 'oblige'. You are 'obligated' to pay taxes, but you might feel 'obliged' to hold a door for someone. Using 'obligate' in casual situations where 'have to' or 'feel like I should' would suffice can sound overly stiff.

Word family: obligation, obligatory

💬 Quick answers

What does obligate mean?

To obligate someone is to require them to do something because of a law, a promise, or a moral principle. It creates a binding duty.

What is the difference between 'obligate' and 'oblige'?

'Obligate' refers to a strong, binding duty, like one from a contract or law. 'Oblige' is softer and often means to do a favor or feel a social pressure to do something.

Is 'obligate' a formal word?

Yes, 'obligate' is a formal word. It is most appropriate in legal, business, and other official contexts. In casual conversation, 'have to' or 'need to' are more common.

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