simple past tense and past participle of oblige
"The company was obliged to issue a refund after discovering the product defect."
In plain English: To be obliged means you have to do something because of rules, promises, or pressure from others.
"I am not obliged to answer any questions you may have about my personal life."
under a moral obligation to do something
"I feel deeply obliged to help my neighbor when she is in trouble."
Under an obligation to do something.
"I was obliged to return the borrowed book by Friday because of a strict library deadline."
In plain English: Obliged means feeling grateful because someone did something nice for you, even though they didn't have to do it.
"I was obliged to leave early because my train had been delayed."
The word entered English from Old French obliger, originally meaning to bind or tie someone down. Over time, the sense shifted from a physical restraint to the modern idea of being morally bound to do something.