oblige

Oblige commonly means to politely do something for someone, as in He’s the kind of person who’s happy to oblige no matter what the request is.

Someone who is accommodating in this way can be described as obliging.

This sense of the word is sometimes used in a somewhat ironic way that likens a negative reaction to a polite one, as in He rudely told me to step aside and let him pass, and I was happy to oblige since I was standing in front of a huge mud puddle.

Oblige also commonly means to require, compel, or constrain. This can imply a moral sense of duty or one based on conscience, as in It is her sense of duty that obliges her to make this sacrifice. Or it can imply an official or legal requirement, as in The contract obliges us to perform three nights a week.

This sense of oblige is perhaps most often used in passive constructions, as in By contract, we are obliged to perform three nights a week.

The similar verb obligate can be used to mean the same thing. The related noun obligation refers to a responsibility or duty that is required of someone. In other words, an obligation is something you are obliged or obligated to do. Something that’s required in such a way can be described with the related adjective obligatory.

Sometimes, oblige means to put one in a debt of gratitude, such as for some favor or service. This sense of the word is especially used in the phrase much obliged, which can be used by itself as another way of saying thank you or in a sentence, as in We’re much obliged for all your hospitality.

Example: There is no requirement that obliges us to help those who are less fortunate—but we should do it out of a moral obligation.

The first records of the word oblige come from the 1200s. It ultimately comes from the Latin verb obligāre, meaning “to bind.”

When we feel that we are obliged to do something, we feel that we have been bound by some duty or requirement. When oblige means “to accommodate,” it often implies that doing so will require some amount of effort by or trouble for the person doing the obliging—for which the recipient of the favor should be much obliged.

What are some other forms related to oblige?

• obliging (continuous tense verb, adjective)
• obliged (past tense verb, adjective)

What are some synonyms for oblige?

• obligate
• require
• compel
• accommodate

What are some words that share a root or word element with oblige? 

• obligation
• obligatory
• noblesse oblige

What are some words that often get used in discussing oblige?

• happy
• much
• them
• kindly
• ask
• request
• favor

Oblige can sound quite formal, especially compared to synonyms like require.

People often ask me what I'm looking at in the woods, and I'm happy to oblige, but today someone was visibly disappointed when I pointed to an enormous, beautiful hornet's nest. "I thought you saw a cool bird!" Yeah, well, I thought I saw a nature lover, you jabroni.

— Monikah (@schmonikah) December 31, 2020

In the utility room sorting laundry. My kid comes in and demands a cuddle. Funnily enough I dropped what I was doing to oblige him #lovemyson

— Maria Robertson (@stupidgirl_no1) December 28, 2020

“Life obliges me to do something, so I paint.”~ Rene Magritte. Magritte at work in his living room, 1964. pic.twitter.com/jOOfgyxaZZ

— Sultan AlShaheen (@S_Al_Shaheen) February 14, 2017

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of oblige?

A. require
B. compel
C. deny
D. accommodate