oblige
[verb]
Synonyms:
- compel, bind, constrain, force, impel, make, necessitate, require
- indulge, accommodate, benefit, gratify, please

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Antonyms: disoblige
Contrasted words: bother, discommode, incommode, inconvenience, trouble
Related Words: gratify, please, avail, benefit, profit, aid, assist, contribute, help

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

o‧blige /əˈblaɪdʒ/ verb formal
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: obliger, from Latin obligare, from ligare 'to tie']

1. [transitive usually passive] if you are obliged to do something, you have to do it because the situation, the law, a duty etc makes it necessary
oblige somebody to do something
The minister was obliged to report at least once every six months.
Circumstances had obliged him to sell the business.
feel obliged to do something (=feel that you have a duty to do something)
Many parents feel obliged to pay for at least part of the wedding.
► Do not use oblige when you are talking about a person making someone do something they do not want to do. Use force or make: No one can force (NOT oblige) you to stay in a job that you hate.

REGISTER
In everyday English, people usually say that you have to do something rather than are obliged to do something:
He had to sell the business.

2. [intransitive and transitive] to do something that someone has asked you to do:
It’s always a good idea to oblige important clients.
happy/glad/ready etc to oblige
If you need a ride home, I’d be happy to oblige.

3. I’d be obliged if spoken formal used to make a polite request:
I’d be obliged if you’d treat this matter as strictly confidential.

4. (I’m) much obliged (to you) spoken old-fashioned used to thank someone very politely

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

oblige
verb
ADV. duly The fans were looking for another goal and Owen duly obliged (= scored).
kindly
VERB + OBLIGE be delighted to, be glad to, be (only too) happy to, be pleased to, be willing to The staff are always happy to oblige.
hasten to
PREP. by Will you oblige by filling in this form?
with Would you be willing to oblige us with some information?

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

oblige
verb
1.
BAD: You can't oblige children to study if they don't want to.
GOOD: You can't force children to study if they don't want to.

Usage Note:
If someone makes you do something that you do not want to do, they force/compel you to do it (or make you do it): 'They forced him to hand over the money by threatening to kill him.'

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2.
BAD: In order to pay the hospital bill, it obliged me to sell my car.
GOOD: In order to pay the hospital bill, I was obliged to sell my car.

Usage Note:
be/feel obliged to do sth (= have to/feel that you have to do something): 'Doctors are obliged to keep their patients' records secret.' 'Since the temperature outside was below freezing, I felt obliged to invite them in.'

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲