Synonyms for ought
ɔtought

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:2.7 / 6 votes

1. ought

   One ought to do that which he is under moral obligation or in duty bound to do. Ought is the stronger word, holding most closely to the sense of moral obligation, or sometimes of imperative logical necessity; should may have the sense of moral obligation or may apply merely to propriety or expediency, as in the proverb, "The liar should have a good memory," i. e., he will need it. Ought is sometimes used of abstractions or inanimate things as indicating what the mind deems to be imperative or logically necessary in view of all the conditions; as, these goods ought to go into that space; these arguments ought to convince him; should in such connections would be correct, but less emphatic. Compare DUTY.

   Synonyms:
   should

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "ought":

   should, must, would

How to pronounce ought?

How to say ought in sign language?

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How to use ought in a sentence?

1. Diogenes Laertius, Zeno:

   One ought to seek out virtue for its own sake, without being influenced by fear or hope, or by any external influence. Moreover, that in that does happiness consist.

2. Rebecca West:

   Life ought to be a struggle of desire toward adventures whose nobility will fertilize the soul.

3. Rick Scott:

   When I ran [ for governor ] in 2010, I had a very specific plan to turn around the Florida economy, which we did, i think we ought to be talking about exactly what we are going to do to turn around this country, rescue this country.

4. Joseph de Maistre:

   Man is insatiable for power; he is infantile in his desires and, always discontented with what he has, loves only what he has not. People complain of the despotism of princes; they ought to complain of the despotism of man.

5. Najib Razak:

   I don't aspire to be a politician, all I am hoping to do is to be helpful. When you feel strongly that your country needs positive changes then one ought to be open to be helpful in that process.