Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun obligation

5 senses of obligation

Sense 1
duty, responsibility, obligation -- (the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force; "we must instill a sense of duty in our children"; "every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty"- John D.Rockefeller Jr)
       => social control -- (control exerted (actively or passively) by group action)

Sense 2
obligation -- (the state of being obligated to do or pay something; "he is under an obligation to finish the job")
       => state -- (the way something is with respect to its main attributes; "the current state of knowledge"; "his state of health"; "in a weak financial state")

Sense 3
obligation, indebtedness -- (a personal relation in which one is indebted for a service or favor)
       => personal relation, personal relationship -- (a relation between persons)

Sense 4
debt instrument, obligation, certificate of indebtedness -- (a written promise to repay a debt)
       => document -- (a written account of ownership or obligation)

Sense 5
obligation -- (a legal agreement specifying a payment or action and the penalty for failure to comply)
       => written agreement -- (a legal document summarizing the agreement between parties)