Need
Obligation
Obligation noun - Something one must do because of prior agreement.
Usage example: their financial obligations keep them from giving to charities as much as they would like
Need is a synonym for obligation in responsibility topic. You can use "Need" instead a noun "Obligation", if it concerns topics such as necessity. popular alternative
Mutual synonyms
How words are described
| high | high need | high obligation |
| low | low need | low obligation |
| special | special need | special obligation |
| particular | particular need | particular obligation |
| Other adjectives: certain, original, true, sheer, strong, actual, real, large, great, social, personal, religious, immediate, general, further, magical. | ||
Both words in one sentence
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As Austria is under obligation to remain neutral, there is not a big need for a standing military.
Source: Useful Notes / Austria -
Though initially she gives Hayate 'obligation' chocolate as part of Valentines' Day, Hinagiku insists she talk to Hayate again and give him the chocolate she made for him, telling him that he doesn't need to respond yet.
Source: Love Confession - In Pact, Blake Thorburn feels that he owes his life to his friends, as they variously saved him from a cult leader while he was homeless, helped him off the streets, or otherwise gave him help when he was badly in need of it and they had no obligation to do so.
Source: I Owe You My Life
Cite this Source
Obligation and Need. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/need/obligation
Need & Obligation. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/need/obligation>.
Obligation or Need. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/need/obligation.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "need" and "obligation" have occurred on timeline