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Definitions

ought

[awt] / ɔt /

NOUN

charge

Synonyms

STRONGEST

concern need tax

STRONG

care commitment committal custody duty millstone must obligation office onus responsibility right safekeeping task trust ward weight

WEAK

deadweight

NOUN

commitment

Synonyms

STRONGEST

engagement guarantee need pledge promise responsibility

STRONG

charge committal devoir duty liability must undertaking vow word

Antonyms

STRONGEST

break

STRONG

breach irresponsibility

WEAK

broken promise denial refusal

NOUN

duty

Synonyms

STRONGEST

burden business charge chore commission commitment contract function job need obligation office role service task work

STRONG

calling committal devoir dues engagement hook load millstone mission must occupation onus pains part province station string trouble trust undertaking weight

WEAK

minding the store taking care of business

Antonyms

STRONGEST

entertainment fun pastime unemployment

STRONG

advantage aid benefit blessing help hobby surrender

WEAK

disregard faithlessness inconstancy irresponsibility treachery

NOUN

must

Synonyms

STRONGEST

precondition prerequisite requisite

STRONG

charge commitment committal condition devoir duty fundamental imperative must-have necessary need obligation requirement right

WEAK

sine qua non

NOUN

need

Synonyms

STRONGEST

commitment demand obligation right urgency use wish

STRONG

charge committal compulsion desideratum devoir duty essential exigency extremity longing must occasion requisite weakness

WEAK

the urge

Antonyms

STRONG

nonessential

WEAK

comfort fortune have luxury plenty riches wealth

NOUN

obligation

Synonyms

STRONGEST

accountability agreement bond burden commitment constraint contract debt duty liability necessity need promise requirement right trust understanding

STRONG

IOU business call cause charge chit committal compulsion conscience debit devoir dues engagement must occasion onus part place restraint

WEAK

accountableness due bill

Antonyms

STRONGEST

asset disagreement disbelief irresponsibility misunderstanding

STRONG

freedom unemployment

NOUN

zero

Synonyms

STRONGEST

nil

STRONG

aught blank bottom cipher nada nadir naught nix nobody nonentity nought nullity oblivion scratch shutout void zilch zip

WEAK

insignificancy lowest point rock bottom zot

Antonyms

STRONG

VIP somebody

WEAK

anything being something thing

VERB

have

Synonyms

STRONGEST

allow become consider enjoy experience feel know leave need permit see suffer undergo

STRONG

entertain let must sustain tolerate

WEAK

be compelled to be forced to be one's duty to be up to fall on meet with put up with rest with should think about

Antonyms

STRONGEST

deny disallow forget hold ignore keep neglect refuse reject

STRONG

halt stop

WEAK

exclude want

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"At the very least," argued Mr Price, the official "ought to have known that it was incorrect".

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026

The message echoes a Steyer theme on the campaign trail — that candidates ought to be judged by who is supporting them and who is opposing them.

From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2026

"We ought to hide our heads in a bag. It's got to stop," Kennedy said ahead of the vote.

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

Nearly everybody knows—or ought to know—that sociability is an important element in a happy retirement, just as it is in a happy life.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026

Only when Clara seized his arm and pulled did he remember that he ought to run.

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny

ought

Example Sentences

Related Words