obligate

Federal law requires the FCC to “act on every application it receives, but it does not obligate the Commission to act within a particular timeframe.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026

Just because someone contacted me didn’t obligate me to reply instantly.

From Slate ● Sep. 27, 2026

"Bifidobacterium is an obligate anaerobe, so it doesn't grow in the presence of oxygen," Mimee said.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 19, 2026

Having power of attorney for her does not obligate you to act as executor.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026

They took the paper he wrote them, containing his conditions; but did not obligate themselves to comply with the conditions, as they did not think his claim just or reasonable.

From Dr. John McLoughlin, the Father of Oregon by Frederick Van Voorhies Holman

"One of the foundations of democracy is the ability to have a peaceful transfer of power. This stems from the understanding that the will of the electorate obligates us all."

From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2026

No law obligates these companies to report the full scope of their water use, both direct and indirect.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 3, 2026

The put sale offsets the expense of the call spread, though it obligates investors to buy the S&P 500 ETF at a lower price.

From Barron's ● Mar. 4, 2026

These courts stuck with the rulebook, which obligates them to follow precedent until it’s formally overturned.

From Slate ● Jul. 24, 2025

It obligates the parties to marry within thirty days from the date on which either demands marriage.

From Marriage and Divorce Laws of the World by Hyacinthe Ringrose

In a democracy, voters are not obligated to follow the music indefinitely.

From Salon ● Nov. 5, 2026

“J.D., habibi, there is this delicious irony in the fact that you’re constitutionally obligated to swear me in in January,” he said.

From Slate ● Nov. 4, 2026

Addressing the vice president, El-Sayed said in his victory speech "you're constitutionally obligated to swear me in in January."

From Barron's ● Nov. 4, 2026

Some insiders are obligated to hold their shares for a minimum term before they have the option of selling.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 13, 2026

He said he loved her but felt obligated to keep his parents, and the wider public, in the dark until she was properly educated, and he had returned from the Arctic in triumph.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

"Gomez purported ‌to ⁠sign a contract obligating her to perform and then ignored it," the lawsuit claims.

From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026

A “phase one” trade deal signed in early 2020 addressed neither of those points, instead obligating China to buy more soybeans from American farmers—something Beijing largely failed to fulfill.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2025

If you recall the myth, you may be able to guess that he’s another loved one Dream condemns to suffering, obligating the supreme being to apologize yet again.

From Salon ● Jul. 3, 2025

“Accordingly, the Department will not be issuing Grant Award Notifications obligating funds for these programs on July 1 prior to completing that review.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 30, 2025

I mean that what seems an obligation to self is in reality a dimly apprehended duty—an obligation to the unknown God, and not to self, in which lies no causing, therefore no obligating power.'

From Wilfrid Cumbermede by George MacDonald