obligated
Required to act
Obligated describes being bound to do something, whether by law, duty, contract, or moral pressure.
If you're obligated to attend a meeting, you're expected or required to be there—skipping isn't really an option without consequences.
I felt obligated to help after everything they'd done for me.
The word often carries a sense of reluctance or external pressure, distinguishing it from doing something willingly.
In legal contexts, obligated typically refers to formal duties arising from contracts or agreements.
Secured or destined
- duty-boundMorally required to act
- responsibleObligated to answer for actions
- accountableObligated to explain oneself
- committedFirmly pledged or bound
compelled · beholden · liable · pledged · honor-bound · answerable · expected · sworn
Owing thanks or money
- gratefulFeeling thankful
- thankfulFeeling gratitude expressed
- appreciativeFeeling or showing gratitude
- owingYet to be paid
beholden · repayment · recompense · reciprocation · return the favor · payback · gratitude · acknowledgment
Required by rule
- compulsoryRequired, not optional
- requiredNeeded by rule
- necessaryIndispensable, cannot omit
- bindingLegally or morally required
incumbent · enforced · prescribed · requisite · demanded · statutory · contractual · stipulated
bound
Secured or destined
- duty-boundMorally required to act
- responsibleObligated to answer for actions
- accountableObligated to explain oneself
committed · compelled · beholden · liable · pledged · honor-bound · answerable · expected · sworn · contracted
indebted
Owing thanks or money
- gratefulFeeling thankful
- thankfulFeeling gratitude expressed
- appreciativeFeeling or showing gratitude
owing · beholden · repayment · recompense · reciprocation · return the favor · payback · gratitude · acknowledgment · recognition
mandatory
Required by rule
- compulsoryRequired, not optional
- requiredNeeded by rule
- necessaryIndispensable, cannot omit
binding · incumbent · enforced · prescribed · requisite · demanded · statutory · contractual · stipulated · mandated
- accountabilityaccountability, responsibility, accountable, take responsibility, answerability
- responsibility wordsaccountable, reliable, dependable, trustworthy, responsible
- HalachaShabbat, kosher, brit milah, tefillin, beit din
- admissionsapplication, acceptance letter, admissions, application deadline, admissions committee
- commitment levelscommitted, dedicated, devoted, loyal, faithful
- necessitiesbasics, essentials, need, essential, needs
obligatedowed
Had a debt
ungrateful · unindebted · unbeholden · entitled · square
obligatedfree
Without payment or restriction
voluntary · willing · unconstrained · uncoerced · unpressured
- social obligationRequired interpersonal duty
- familial obligationsDuties owed to relatives
- no obligationNo requirement to act
- moral obligationEthics-based required action
- family obligationsResponsibilities toward one's relatives
- landlord obligationsWhat property owners owe tenants
obligation, obligatory, obligations, obligate, obligating, obligates