obligated

/ˈɒblɪɡeɪtɪd/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɑːblɪɡeɪtɪd/ (ame, ipa)

obligated — adjective

  • obligatedpositive
  • more obligatedcomparative
  • most obligatedsuperlative

1. having a responsibility to act because a rule, promise, or strong social pressur

1.形容詞C1
釋義

having a responsibility to act because a rule, promise, or strong social pressure makes it hard to refuse.

例句

Noa felt obligated to call Grandma Mei after missing the birthday dinner.

feel obligated to + verb

Under the contract, the company is obligated to repair the roof within thirty days.

be obligated under a contract

同義詞
  • required

    more neutral and especially common for official rules or conditions

  • bound

    more formal and often used for strong legal or moral ties

  • duty-bound

    stresses conscience, loyalty, or honor

反義詞
  • free

    having no duty to do it

  • optional

    not required by rule or expectation

文法句型

be/feel obligated to + verb

be obligated under/by + rule/contract

用法筆記

Usually follows be or feel and is commonly followed by to + verb. It often suggests pressure from a rule, a promise, or another person's expectations rather than a completely free choice.

常見錯誤

❌I felt obligated for the gift.
✅I felt obligated to write a thank-you note after the gift.
💡obligated usually points to a duty to act, not directly to the thing received.