Synonym Chooser

How is the word culpable different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of culpable are blamable, blameworthy, and guilty. While all these words mean "deserving reproach or punishment," culpable is weaker than guilty and is likely to connote malfeasance or errors of ignorance, omission, or negligence.

culpable neglect

How are the words blameworthy and blamable related as synonyms of culpable?

Both blameworthy and blamable apply to any degree of reprehensibility.

conduct adjudged blameworthy
an accident for which no one is blamable

When could guilty be used to replace culpable?

While in some cases nearly identical to culpable, guilty implies responsibility for or consciousness of crime, sin, or, at the least, grave error or misdoing.

guilty of a breach of etiquette

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of culpable Like the conspiracy, Wenger’s steroids conviction hinged on the word of a man who was more legally culpable than Wenger himself. Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025 The question of whether or not Uniqlo is fast fashion or sustainable fashion or ethical fashion has perhaps become irrelevant in a world in which fashion—no modifier needed—is increasingly culpable for the ravaging of the planet. Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025 Since the oil and gas industry is responsible for about 50% of worldwide GHG emissions, the industry would be less culpable for earth’s temperature rise. Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025 The teen, whose mother also sobbed in court as her son was sentenced on Tuesday, had pleaded guilty to charges including culpable driving causing death, theft, and failing to render assistance in July, the Sydney Morning Herald noted. Becca Longmire, People.com, 26 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for culpable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for culpable
Adjective
  • Because access to opportunity is not evenly distributed, Patel adds that receiving help isn’t something to feel guilty about.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2025
  • The indictment alleging mortgage fraud came after former FBI Director James Comey pleaded not guilty to lying to Congress.
    Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • His Stoic Challenge framework invites you to see a setback not as something terrible, blameworthy or unfair but instead as a test of your ingenuity and resilience.
    Hanna Hart, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
  • But Miss Manners acknowledges that there is also the less blameworthy impulse to offer comfort — not just sympathy — when there is no real comfort to be offered.
    Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Culpable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/culpable. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on culpable

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