Obliges

To oblige means to be legally or morally bound to do something; to require someone to do something as a matter of law, necessity, or duty; or to do something as a favor or because of social conventions. It often implies a sense of compulsion, whether internal or external. The action performed is seen as a consequence of a sense of responsibility, pressure, or a felt need. A person who obliges acknowledges a debt, an expectation, or a predetermined consequence. The weight of this obligation may vary considerably. For example, legal obligations carry formal repercussions, while social obligations are often more flexible and depend on situational context.

Obliges meaning with examples

• The contract obliges the company to provide maintenance services for a minimum of five years. The language of the contract clearly states all responsibilities. The company had no choice in providing such a long-term contract. The terms and conditions laid out in the contract were fully known to both parties involved and this was an undeniable stipulation.
• As the eldest sibling, she felt obliged to look after her younger brothers and sisters after their parents died. She took on this role after her parents were involved in an unfortunate accident. She was known for being the backbone of her siblings and helping to organize the care and upbringing of the younger children.
• He felt obliged to attend the family reunion, even though he'd rather have stayed home. His parents and his extended family, would surely miss him and make known their disapprobation if he wasn't present. He felt a keen sense of belonging to his family and the obligations that that entailed.