adjective
beholden
bih-HOHL-duhn
adjective
1
Owing gratitude or a debt to someone for what they have done.
"She felt beholden to her mentor for years of guidance."
How to Use Beholden
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFeeling obligated or indebted to someone.
Common pairings
beholden to no one
feel beholden
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She felt _____ to her mentor for years of guidance.
Etymology
Originally the past participle of "behold," it drifted over time to mean "obligated" rather than "seen."