Duty vs. Obligation: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Duty refers to a moral or legal responsibility, while obligation is a requirement often arising from law, promise, or moral compulsion.
Key Differences
Duty often carries a moral or ethical connotation, suggesting a responsibility arising from one's role or position. Obligation, on the other hand, is typically more legal or contractual, implying a necessity to act according to agreements or laws.
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Nov 30, 2023
Duty is frequently associated with roles in society, like civic duty or the duties of a job. Obligation often refers to specific commitments or requirements imposed by external factors, such as legal obligations.
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Nov 30, 2023
Duty implies an inherent responsibility, often linked to ethical values or societal norms. For example, a doctor's duty to care for patients. Obligation suggests a binding agreement or promise, like the obligation to repay a loan.
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In the context of personal relationships, duty may refer to responsibilities that come with certain roles, such as parental duties. Obligation often implies a sense of compulsion due to external pressures or expectations, as in feeling an obligation to attend an event.
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Nov 30, 2023
Duty can be seen as a broader concept encompassing various responsibilities, often carrying a sense of honor or respect. Obligation, however, typically connotes a more specific requirement, sometimes with a sense of burden or pressure.
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Nov 30, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Origin
Moral or ethical responsibility.
Legal, contractual, or moral compulsion.
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Associated With
Roles, positions, societal norms.
Agreements, promises, legal requirements.
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Implication
Inherent responsibility, often with honor.
Binding commitment, sometimes with a sense of burden.
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Contextual Use
Broad, covering various responsibilities.
Specific, relating to a particular commitment.
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Emotional Connotation
Often associated with respect and honor.
Can imply pressure or a sense of compulsion.
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Duty and Obligation Definitions
Duty
Duty is a moral or legal obligation.
Voting in elections is a civic duty.
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Nov 30, 2023
Obligation
Obligation refers to a legal or moral compulsion.
Fulfilling contractual obligations is essential in business.
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Nov 30, 2023
Duty
Duty denotes obligations inherent in a position or status.
Jury duty is part of being a citizen.
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Nov 30, 2023
Obligation
Obligation is a requirement to act in a certain way.
He felt an obligation to repay the kindness.
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Duty
Duty is a task or action required by one's position.
The guard performed his duty diligently.
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Obligation
Obligation denotes a binding commitment.
She had an obligation to attend the meeting.
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Duty
Duty refers to a responsibility associated with one's role.
It's the teacher's duty to foster a safe learning environment.
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Obligation
Obligation is a duty imposed by a legal or ethical constraint.
There's an obligation to report any safety hazards at work.
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Nov 30, 2023
Duty
Duty implies a moral or ethical responsibility.
It was her duty to report the mistake.
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Nov 30, 2023
Obligation
A social, legal, or moral requirement, such as a duty, contract, or promise, that compels one to follow or avoid a particular course of action
Are you able to meet your obligations? I have an obligation to attend their wedding.
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Oct 19, 2023
Duty
An act or a course of action that is required of one by position, social custom, law, or religion
The duties of being a critical care nurse.
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Oct 19, 2023
Obligation
The constraining power of a promise, contract, law, or sense of duty
I felt no obligation to offer my advice.
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Oct 19, 2023
Obligation
(Law) A document in which a person binds himself or herself to undertake or refrain from doing a particular act.
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Oct 19, 2023
Obligation
The state, fact, or feeling of being indebted to another for a special service or favor received
If they invite us, aren't we under obligation to invite them in return?.
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Oct 19, 2023
Obligation
The act of binding oneself by a social, legal, or moral tie to someone.
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Oct 19, 2023
Obligation
A social, legal, or moral requirement, duty, contract, or promise that compels someone to follow or avoid a particular course of action.
I feel I'm under obligation to attend my sister's wedding, even though we have a very frosty relationship.
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Oct 19, 2023
Duty
The application of something for a purpose; use
The dining room table also does duty as a desk.
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Oct 19, 2023
Obligation
A course of action imposed by society, law, or conscience by which someone is bound or restricted.
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Oct 19, 2023
Duty
A measure of efficiency expressed as the amount of work done per unit of energy used.
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Oct 19, 2023
Obligation
(legal) A legal agreement stipulating a specified action or forbearance by a party to the agreement; the document containing such agreement.
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Oct 19, 2023
Duty
The total volume of water required to irrigate a given area in order to cultivate a specific crop until harvest.
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Oct 19, 2023
Duty
That which one is morally or legally obligated to do.
We don't have a duty to keep you here.
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Oct 19, 2023
Duty
The state of being at work and responsible for or doing a particular task.
I’m on duty from 6 pm to 6 am.
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Oct 19, 2023
Obligation
That which obligates or constrains; the binding power of a promise, contract, oath, or vow, or of law; that which constitutes legal or moral duty.
A tender conscience is a stronger obligation than a proson.
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Oct 19, 2023
Duty
A tax placed on imports or exports; a tariff.
Customs duty; excise duty
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Oct 19, 2023
Obligation
Any act by which a person becomes bound to do something to or for another, or to forbear something; external duties imposed by law, promise, or contract, by the relations of society, or by courtesy, kindness, etc.
Every man has obligations which belong to his station. Duties extend beyond obligation, and direct the affections, desires, and intentions, as well as the actions.
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Oct 19, 2023
Obligation
The state of being obligated or bound; the state of being indebted for an act of favor or kindness; - often used with under to indicate being in that state; as, to place others under obligations to one.
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Oct 19, 2023
Obligation
A bond with a condition annexed, and a penalty for nonfulfillment. In a larger sense, it is an acknowledgment of a duty to pay a certain sum or do a certain things.
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Oct 19, 2023
Duty
The efficiency of an engine, especially a steam pumping engine, as measured by work done by a certain quantity of fuel; usually, the number of pounds of water lifted one foot by one bushel of coal (94 lbs. old standard), or by 1 cwt. (112 lbs., England, or 100 lbs., United States).
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Oct 19, 2023
Obligation
The social force that binds you to your obligations and 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
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Oct 19, 2023
Duty
That which is due; payment.
When thou receivest money for thy labor or ware, thou receivest thy duty.
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Oct 19, 2023
Obligation
The state of being obligated to do or pay something;
He is under an obligation to finish the job
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Oct 19, 2023
Duty
That which a person is bound by moral obligation to do, or refrain from doing; that which one ought to do; service morally obligatory.
Forgetting his duty toward God, his sovereign lord, and his country.
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Oct 19, 2023
Obligation
A personal relation in which one is indebted for a service or favor
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Oct 19, 2023
Duty
Hence, any assigned service or business; as, the duties of a policeman, or a soldier; to be on duty.
With records sweet of duties done.
To employ him on the hardest and most imperative duty.
Duty is a graver term than obligation. A duty hardly exists to do trivial things; but there may be an obligation to do them.
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Oct 19, 2023
Obligation
A legal agreement specifying a payment or action and the penalty for failure to comply
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Oct 19, 2023
Obligation
Obligation implies a sense of necessity or compulsion.
He did it more out of obligation than desire.
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Nov 30, 2023
Duty
The efficiency of an engine, especially a steam pumping engine, as measured by work done by a certain quantity of fuel; usually, the number of pounds of water lifted one foot by one bushel of coal (94 lbs. old standard), or by 1 cwt. (112 lbs., England, or 100 lbs., United States).
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Duty
Tax, toll, impost, or customs; excise; any sum of money required by government to be paid on the importation, exportation, or consumption of goods.
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Oct 19, 2023
Duty
Work that you are obliged to perform for moral or legal reasons;
The duties of the job
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Oct 19, 2023
Duty
The social force that binds you to your obligations and 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
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Oct 19, 2023
Duty
A government tax on imports or exports;
They signed a treaty to lower duties on trade between their countries
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Oct 19, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
How does duty differ from obligation in daily life?
Duty often refers to broader responsibilities, while obligation is usually specific.
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Nov 30, 2023
Do duties carry honor?
Duties often carry a sense of honor, especially societal or ethical duties.
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Nov 30, 2023
Can obligation feel burdensome?
Yes, obligations can sometimes feel burdensome or compulsory.
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Nov 30, 2023
What is an obligation?
Obligation is a requirement to act, often based on legal, ethical, or moral grounds.
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Nov 30, 2023
Can duties be chosen?
Some duties, like professional duties, are chosen, while others, like civic duties, are inherent.
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Nov 30, 2023
What is a duty?
Duty is a responsibility arising from one's position, role, or ethical beliefs.
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Nov 30, 2023
Is family responsibility a duty or obligation?
It can be both, depending on the context and culture.
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Are obligations optional?
Obligations are generally not optional and require compliance.
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Can obligation arise from promises?
Yes, obligations can arise from promises or agreements.
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What's an example of a duty?
Serving in a public office can be seen as a duty.
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Can obligations change over time?
Yes, obligations can change, especially legal or contractual ones.
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Is duty linked to ethics?
Duty is often closely linked to ethical and moral standards.
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Nov 30, 2023
How do duties relate to jobs?
Duties are often the responsibilities associated with a specific job.
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Nov 30, 2023
Can one have an obligation to oneself?
Yes, personal obligations to oneself are recognized, like self-care obligations.
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Nov 30, 2023
Do societal norms influence duties?
Yes, societal norms greatly influence what is considered a duty.
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Nov 30, 2023
Are obligations enforceable?
Many obligations, especially legal ones, are enforceable.
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Nov 30, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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