to bind

Examples

• All

• The contacts underscore that the two firms were bound by a desire for commercial gain.

  Academic text (1999)

• Once an employee agrees to the terms, they are legally bound to follow the company's policies.

• Do you bind yourself to that?

  Jefferson in Paris (1995)

• You are bound to this land... and to this family... by commitment... by honour... and by love.

  A Walk in the Clouds (1995)

• I answered to my best ability some points of common law, which the King put to me, as I was bound to do.

  A Man for All Seasons (1966)

• Sarah herself did not even sign the contract, therefore, she's not bound by forum selection.

  Joey & Rex Save the Church (2022)

• Today, China's WTO tariff structure is bound by an average rate of ten percent.

  Academic text (2008)

• As COA proliferates, it is bound to affect numerous facets of the business environment.

  Academic text (1999)

• The WTO currently has 153 members, all of which are bound by the GI provisions in the TRIPS agreement.

  Academic text (2011)

• Before signing the contract, you should understand how it will bind you to your obligations.

Synonyms

C

to compel

vsto bind

258 4.8

Force someone to do something or make them feel they must

focuses on creating obligation through agreement, promise, contract, or duty rather than force

O

to obligate

vsto bind

• Formal

89 6.7

Make someone legally or morally have to do something

is about causing a felt duty through agreement, contract, or promise

O

to oblige

vsto bind

• Formal

72 4.5

To make someone do something because the law or rules say so

is used to create required duty through agreement, promise, or contract

I

to indenture

vsto bind

• Formal

9 8.9

To legally bind someone to work for a set time

is broader, covering obligations from promises, duties, or general agreement

Antonyms

R

to release

∞ 1.8

To let someone or something go free from being held

E

to exempt

• Formal

30 4.1

To free someone officially from a rule or obligation

Idioms

B

to bind hand and foot

• Informal

1 8.0

To stop someone completely from acting freely

Phrasal Verbs

B

to bind over

• Jargon

2 9.8

To order a defendant to be kept in custody or to obey certain rules until a later court hearing

B

to bind off

• Jargon

7.8

To finish a row of knitting by securing stitches so they do not come undone

Compounds

D

double bind

• Specialized

2 8.1

A situation where you are given two conflicting demands you cannot satisfy, often from someone in charge

How Obligated

to force

∞ 2.3

to compel

258 4.8

to oblige

• Formal

72 4.5

to bind

• Formal

216 4.4

to expect

∞ 2.0

to allow

∞ 1.0

release

279 1.8

Surface Forms

Etymology