beholdenness
State of obligation
The state of being obligated to someone for a kindness or favor received.
Beholdenness implies a debt of gratitude that may feel burdensome: His beholdenness to his wealthy in-laws rankled him.
The word emphasizes the uncomfortable aspect of owing someone—the sense that independence has been compromised by accepting help.
Morally required to act
- indebtedOwing thanks or money
- boundSecured or destined
- tiedFastened by knotting
- committedFirmly pledged or bound
burdened · constrained · obligated · accountable · liable · owing · pledged · honor-bound
Appreciative state of mind
- appreciationRecognition of worth
- gratefulnessState of being thankful
- acknowledgmentConfirmation of receipt
- recognitionPerceiving something as known
indebtedness · heartfelt thanks · deep appreciation · warmth · cherishing · esteem · reverence · admiration
State of needing support
- dependenceState of needing another
- subordinationLower position in hierarchy
- subservienceExcessive willingness to obey
- patronageSupporter's financial backing
fealty · vassalage · deference · submission · power imbalance · reciprocity · benefactor · beneficiary
Internal moral sense
- integrityMoral soundness and consistency
- dutyRequired moral task
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
- righteousnessMoral correctness or virtue
rectitude · decency · fidelity · loyalty · faithfulness · trustworthiness · moral debt · ethical obligation
duty-bound
Morally required to act
committed · burdened · constrained · obligated · accountable · liable · owing · pledged · honor-bound · encumbered
thankfulness
Appreciative state of mind
- appreciationRecognition of worth
- gratefulnessState of being thankful
- acknowledgmentConfirmation of receipt
recognition · indebtedness · heartfelt thanks · deep appreciation · warmth · cherishing · esteem · reverence · admiration · respect
reliance
State of needing support
- dependenceState of needing another
- subordinationLower position in hierarchy
- subservienceExcessive willingness to obey
patronage · fealty · vassalage · deference · submission · power imbalance · reciprocity · benefactor · beneficiary
conscience
Internal moral sense
righteousness · rectitude · decency · fidelity · loyalty · faithfulness · trustworthiness · moral debt · ethical obligation
beholdennessindependence
Freedom from external control
freedom · autonomy · self-sufficiency · self-reliance · liberty
beholdennesspatronage
Supporter's financial backing
benefaction · lordship · dominion · magnanimity · noblesse oblige
beholdennessquits
Voluntarily stops or departs
square · even · debt-free · unburdened · clear conscience
behold, beholder, beholden, beheld, beholding, beholds, unbeholden