Which term means to bind or compel someone, especially legally or morally?

• A. Obliged
• B. Obligated
• C. Constrain
• D. Compel

Answer: (B)

Being bound by duty or law is described by the word obligated. It shows that a requirement is placed on someone, making them responsible to act or comply. For example, you are obligated to follow the contract or to report certain information by a deadline. While obliged can convey a sense of duty, it’s often used to express indebtedness or polite obligation rather than a formal or legal bind. Constrain focuses on limiting freedom, not on a duty one must fulfill, and compel emphasizes forcing someone to act, which is about the action itself rather than the state of being bound. Thus, obligated best captures the idea of being legally or morally bound.