The term 'is obliged' is a phrase used to describe a situation in which someone is required to do something. It can be used to refer to a legal obligation, or to an informal obligation that someone feels they must fulfill. The crossword solutions for this term are 'owes' (4 letters) and 'owe' (3 letters). 'Owes' is the present tense of the verb 'to owe', which means to be indebted to someone else. 'Owe' is the infinitive form of the same verb. Therefore, the two solutions together indicate that someone is obligated to pay a debt or fulfill an obligation.