
Beholden
Positive Obligation
Beholden implies a positive feeling of being obliged, not a legal or negative duty.

After the support during hard times, she felt warmly beholden to her mentor.
Gratitude Implied
Using 'beholden' suggests a sense of gratitude towards the person who helped.

He was beholden to his neighbor for watering his plants while he was away.
Not Financial Debt
'Beholden' is less about financial debt and more about moral or social obligations.

Although she repaid the loan, she remained beholden to her friend for the generosity shown.
Compare with
AppreciativeDebtGratefulIndebtedInduceObligatedThankful
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension