OBLIGING Synonyms: 112 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'obliging' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of obliging are amiable , complaisant , and good-natured . While all these words mean "having the desire or disposition to please," obliging stresses a friendly readiness to be helpful. // our obliging innkeeper found us a bigger room

Q: When is it sensible to use 'amiable' instead of 'obliging'?

The words amiable and obliging can be used in similar contexts, but amiable implies having qualities that make one liked and easy to deal with. // an amiable teacher not easily annoyed

Q: When might 'complaisant' be a better fit than 'obliging'?

While in some cases nearly identical to obliging , complaisant often implies passivity or a yielding to others because of weakness. // was too complaisant to protest a decision he thought unfair

Q: In what contexts can 'good-natured' take the place of 'obliging'?

The meanings of good-natured and obliging largely overlap; however, good-natured implies cheerfulness or helpfulness and sometimes a willingness to be imposed upon. // a good-natured girl who was always willing to pitch in

obliging 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈblī-jiŋ

Definition of obliging next

as in friendly

willing to do a favor an obliging concierge used her pull to get us reservations at the town's hottest restaurant

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

obliging

2 of 2

verb

present participle of oblige

as in accommodating

to do a service or favor for I would appreciate it greatly if you could oblige me by bringing a dessert to the party

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in coercing

to cause (a person) to give in to pressure I know you're in a hurry, but you can't oblige me to drive any faster than the speed limit

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word obliging distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of obliging are amiable, complaisant, and good-natured. While all these words mean "having the desire or disposition to please," obliging stresses a friendly readiness to be helpful.

our obliging innkeeper found us a bigger room

When is it sensible to use amiable instead of obliging?

The words amiable and obliging can be used in similar contexts, but amiable implies having qualities that make one liked and easy to deal with.

an amiable teacher not easily annoyed

When might complaisant be a better fit than obliging?

While in some cases nearly identical to obliging, complaisant often implies passivity or a yielding to others because of weakness.

was too complaisant to protest a decision he thought unfair

In what contexts can good-natured take the place of obliging?

The meanings of good-natured and obliging largely overlap; however, good-natured implies cheerfulness or helpfulness and sometimes a willingness to be imposed upon.

a good-natured girl who was always willing to pitch in

Examples of obliging in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

In other places, the Cold War’s end radically changed the domestic calculus, compelling belligerents to sue for peace because the flow of weapons had been cut off or obliging autocratic rulers to open political space because the support of external powers had faded. —

Judd Devermont, Foreign Affairs, 27 June 2024 Also, this year or next, the Brazilian government may well approve a quota obliging SVOD streaming services to invest in Brazilian independent production. —

John Hopewell, Variety, 18 June 2024 Beijing wants to move ahead with a broader bilateral relationship with New Delhi, regardless of the status of their border dispute, but the latter has not been obliging. —

Lisa Curtis, Foreign Affairs, 15 Feb. 2023 One obliging couple captured a video, which Ortega posted to TikTok. —

Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 19 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for obliging