Sample Sentences for
oblige
grouped by contextual meaning
(editor-reviewed)

oblige as in:  I am obliged by law.

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The law obliges doctors to report suspected child abuse.
obliges = requires
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    I didn't want to help, but I felt obliged because of our family connections.
    obliged = required to
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    They looked at me expectantly and I felt obliged to comment.
    obliged = required
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    We are obliged, at least once in our lives, to visit the holy city of Mecca.  (source)
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    She got up and went toward the door, where she felt obliged to give us an explanation.  (source)
    obliged = required (obligated)
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    We live as we have for centuries by a code called Pashtunwali, which obliges us to give hospitality to all guests and in which the most important value is nang, or honor.  (source)
    obliges = requires
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    …already, in her mind's eye, she could see his sister, Mme. de Cambremer, alighting from her carriage at the door of our hotel just as we were on the point of going out fishing, and obliging us to remain indoors all afternoon to entertain her.  (source)
    obliging = requiring (obligating) to do something
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    Also he obligeth himselfe, to assist him that hath the Soveraignty, in the Punishing of another; but of himselfe not.†  (source)
    standard suffix: Today, the suffix "-th" is replaced by "-s", so that where they said "She obligeth" in older English, today we say "She obliges."
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    But were there roses enough to oblige her to go twice?  (source)
    oblige = require
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    "We are obliged to listen to the testimony, Matthew," said Captain Talcott reasonably.  (source)
    obliged = required (obligated)
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    Six obliges her request for the eleventh hug and winks at me over Karen's shoulder.†  (source)
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    Swann having replied that he had not seen this portrait, Mme. Cottard was afraid that she might have hurt his feelings by obliging him to confess the omission.  (source)
    obliging = requiring (obligating) to do something
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    And therefore, as when the Authority is evident, the Covenant obligeth the Author, not the Actor; so when the Authority is feigned, it obligeth the Actor onely; there being no Author but himselfe.†  (source)
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    I only puzzle them, and oblige them to make civil speeches.  (source)
    oblige = require
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oblige as in:  I obliged her every request.

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    I'll be happy to oblige.
    oblige = grant a favor
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    He obliged her by listening attentively.
    obliged = grant a favor to
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    Peeta's happy to oblige and since he's a lot quieter in water than on land, it's a doubly good idea.  (source)
    oblige = be helpful
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  • •
    We usually don't supply that kind of information over the phone, but since it's you, Judge Ford, I'll be happy to oblige.  (source)
    oblige = be helpful
  • •
    The next obliging roll of thunder saw it wedged once more into place.  (source)
    obliging = helpful
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    With Salamander Army waiting abjectly for destruction, Leopard obligingly destroyed them.  (source)
    obligingly = helpfully (said ironically)
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    My pipe was ready and would have been lit, if I had not been lost in thinking about how to banish oppression from this land and restore to all its people their stolen rights and manhood without disobliging anybody.†  (source)
    standard prefix: The prefix "dis-" in disobliging reverses the meaning of obliging. This is the same pattern as seen in words like disagree, disconnect, and disappear.
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    As you know, three ladies asked to leave yesterday, and I obliged.  (source)
    obliged = granted the favor
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    For some singular reason, an impression seemed to reign among the servants generally that Missis would not be particularly disobliged by delay; and it was wonderful what a number of counter accidents occurred constantly, to retard the course of things.†  (source)
    standard prefix: The prefix "dis-" in disobliged reverses the meaning of obliged. This is the same pattern as seen in words like disagree, disconnect, and disappear.
  • •
    That night at Sukhinichi a porter who had preserved his prewar obligingness took the doctor over the unlit tracks to the back of some unscheduled train that had just arrived, and put him in a second-class carriage.†  (source)
    standard suffix: The suffix "-ness" converts an adjective to a noun. This is the same pattern you see in words like darkness, kindness, and coolness.
  • •
    But Miss Frances married, in the common phrase, to disoblige her family, and by fixing on a lieutenant of marines, without education, fortune, or connexions, did it very thoroughly.†  (source)
    standard prefix: The prefix "dis-" in disoblige reverses the meaning of oblige. This is the same pattern as seen in words like disagree, disconnect, and disappear.
  • •
    They drive around looking. Looking and hoping that someone will provoke them. Sooner or later, someone always obliges. Then the dogs feast and the day's boredom is broken at last and everyone says 'Allah-u-akbar!'  (source)
    obliges = does what is wanted
  • •
    But to have received benefits from one, whom we acknowledge our superiour, enclines to love; because the obligation is no new depession: and cheerfull acceptation, (which men call Gratitude,) is such an honour done to the obliger, as is taken generally for retribution.†  (source)
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obliged as in:  I'm much obliged for your kindness

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I am much obliged to you for your help.
obliged = grateful or indebted
Show 3 more with this contextual meaning
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    I'd be obliged if you could help me lift this.
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    If you'd be kind enough to point us toward the river, I'd be ever so much obliged.  (source)
    obliged = grateful
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    I shouldn't have accepted her help, but 'tis a tricky job, and when she came along I was greatly obliged to her.  (source)
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  • •
    But he would be much obliged, he repeated, if I could "give it a go with four".  (source)
    obliged = grateful or indebted
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    The old judge said with a slight start: "I am obliged to you, Mr. Marston."  (source)
    obliged = grateful
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    We are already deeply obliged to you.  (source)
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    I'm much obliged but I couldn't take on any more work.  (source)
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    I am much obliged to you. I thank you fifty times. Bless you!  (source)
    obliged = grateful or indebted
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    "Well now, I'm much obliged," said Matthew,  (source)
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    "It keeps him in good humour," said she, "and I am more obliged to you than I can express."  (source)
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    As our client wishes the delivery made as soon as possible, we shall be obliged by your having teams ready at King's Cross at the time named and forthwith conveying the goods to destination.  (source)
    obliged = grateful
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    Shouting above the train noise, I told him much obliged for saving T.R.  (source)
    obliged = grateful or indebted
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    I'm obliged to you.  (source)
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