ob·li·gate
ˈä-blə-ˌgāt 
obligated; obligating
1
: to bind legally or morally : constrain
You are obligated to repay the loan.
2
: to commit (something, such as funds) to meet an obligation
funds obligated for new projects
ob·li·gate
ˈä-bli-gət
-blə-ˌgāt
-blə-ˌgāt
1
: restricted to one particularly characteristic mode of life
an obligate parasite
2
: biologically essential for survival
obligate mutualism
obligately
adverb
Synonyms
Examples of obligate in a Sentence
Verb
The contract obligates the firm to complete the work in six weeks.
the problem is of your own making, so don't think that you can obligate me to help
Recent Examples on the Web
Angela Rodriguez, Sacramento Bee, 21 May 2024
Once the exclusive negotiating period begins, Chelsea will be obligated to pay the city a good faith deposit of $50,000 and a negotiation payment of $25,000, plus provide periodic status reports on financial feasibility and construction cost estimates.
—Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2024
Because the Duchy is considered part of the crown and therefore royals are not obligated to pay any taxes on profits made from the estate.
—Anna Gordon, TIME, 17 May 2024
As a part of NATO, the United States would be obligated under the alliance’s treaty to aid in the defense of any attack on the trainers, potentially dragging America into the war.
—Lara Jakes, New York Times, 16 May 2024
This creates an environment where most are obligated to reach out to anyone going viral.
—Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 12 May 2024
However, members aren’t obligated to make any purchases.
—Russ Wiles, The Arizona Republic, 10 May 2024
You are not obligated to attend a party held for a total stranger and attended by other strangers.
—Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, 9 May 2024
Royals are not obligated to pay income tax, but have voluntarily done so since 1993, according to Parliament.
—Mallory Moench, TIME, 5 May 2024
Ken Belson, New York Times, 1 May 2024
As obligate scavengers, vultures survive almost exclusively on what is already dead.
—Meera Subramanian, The New Yorker, 31 Jan. 2024
Nothing in these Official Rules shall obligate Sponsor to publish or otherwise use any entry submitted in connection with this Contest.
—TIME.com, 3 July 2023
For evolutionary biologists, that posed a mystery: How could a new species of obligate social parasites evolve from its host species?
—Viviane Callier, Quanta Magazine, 8 May 2023
Schools have until September 2024 to obligate ARP ESSER III funding.
—Trisha Powell Crain | Tcrain@al.com, al, 26 Jan. 2023
Such a relationship between species is called obligate parasitism, because the parasites cannot survive on their own.
—Viviane Callier, Quanta Magazine, 8 May 2023
The resolutions passed Tuesday obligate the city to work to resolve outstanding issues, which include: Norfolk’s pledge to secure state funding for at least half of the $931 million in local funding required by the Army Corps over 10 years.
—Jim Morrison, Washington Post, 26 Apr. 2023
Heuchera americana is an obligate denizen of eastern woodsy sites — shady and a bit damp in spring.
—Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 14 Apr. 2023
Verb
However, a driver is not legally obligated to submit to field sobriety tests, pre-arrest breath tests or cheek swabs at a DUI checkpoint, according to Shouse California Law Group.
—Angela Rodriguez, Sacramento Bee, 21 May 2024
Once the exclusive negotiating period begins, Chelsea will be obligated to pay the city a good faith deposit of $50,000 and a negotiation payment of $25,000, plus provide periodic status reports on financial feasibility and construction cost estimates.
—Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2024
Because the Duchy is considered part of the crown and therefore royals are not obligated to pay any taxes on profits made from the estate.
—Anna Gordon, TIME, 17 May 2024
As a part of NATO, the United States would be obligated under the alliance’s treaty to aid in the defense of any attack on the trainers, potentially dragging America into the war.
—Lara Jakes, New York Times, 16 May 2024
This creates an environment where most are obligated to reach out to anyone going viral.
—Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 12 May 2024
However, members aren’t obligated to make any purchases.
—Russ Wiles, The Arizona Republic, 10 May 2024
You are not obligated to attend a party held for a total stranger and attended by other strangers.
—Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, 9 May 2024
Royals are not obligated to pay income tax, but have voluntarily done so since 1993, according to Parliament.
—Mallory Moench, TIME, 5 May 2024
Adjective
The charters obligate teams to enter all their cars in all 36 Cup races and two exhibitions each season.
—Ken Belson, New York Times, 1 May 2024
As obligate scavengers, vultures survive almost exclusively on what is already dead.
—Meera Subramanian, The New Yorker, 31 Jan. 2024
Nothing in these Official Rules shall obligate Sponsor to publish or otherwise use any entry submitted in connection with this Contest.
—TIME.com, 3 July 2023
For evolutionary biologists, that posed a mystery: How could a new species of obligate social parasites evolve from its host species?
—Viviane Callier, Quanta Magazine, 8 May 2023
Schools have until September 2024 to obligate ARP ESSER III funding.
—Trisha Powell Crain | Tcrain@al.com, al, 26 Jan. 2023
Such a relationship between species is called obligate parasitism, because the parasites cannot survive on their own.
—Viviane Callier, Quanta Magazine, 8 May 2023
The resolutions passed Tuesday obligate the city to work to resolve outstanding issues, which include: Norfolk’s pledge to secure state funding for at least half of the $931 million in local funding required by the Army Corps over 10 years.
—Jim Morrison, Washington Post, 26 Apr. 2023
Heuchera americana is an obligate denizen of eastern woodsy sites — shady and a bit damp in spring.
—Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 14 Apr. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'obligate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near obligate
Cite this Entry
“Obligate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obligate. Accessed 28 May. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
obligate
adjective
ob·li·gate
ˈäb-li-gət
-lə-ˌgāt
-lə-ˌgāt
1
: restricted to one particularly characteristic mode of life or way of functioning
the infant is an obligate nose breather—The Journal of the American Medical Association
The Journal of the American Medical Associationan obligate parasite
2
: biologically essential for survival
obligate parasitism
obligately
adverb
Legal Definition
obligate
transitive verb
ob·li·gate
ˈä-blə-ˌgāt
obligated; obligating
1
: to bind legally or morally
was obligated to pay child support
2
: to commit (as funds or property) to meet or provide security for an obligation
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