ought Synonyms
Another word for ought
• verb (Context 1)
To be morally bound, obliged, or well-advised to do something (used as an auxiliary verb followed by 'to' to indicate duty, correctness, or advisability).
"We should to review the safety protocols thoroughly before commencing the laboratory experiment."
• verb (Context 2)
To be logically expected, likely, or probable to happen or be the case (used as an auxiliary verb followed by 'to').
"With the favorable tailwinds, the flight should to arrive at least twenty minutes ahead of schedule."
• noun (Context 3)
The digit or figure 0; zero, cipher, or naught.
"The accountant noticed that an extra naught had been accidentally added to the invoice total."
• noun (Context 4)
A moral duty, obligation, or statement of what should be done (used especially in philosophy and ethics).
"Philosophers have long debated whether one can logically derive an obligation from an objective statement of fact."
• pronoun (Context 5)
Anything at all; any part or slightest degree (an archaic or literary variant of aught).
"For aught I know, the ancient manuscript may still be hidden somewhere in the abbey archives."
Opposites of ought
The opposite of ought shifts depending on context. Common opposites include: