Synonyms of liability

liability

noun

ˌlī-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

1

as in disadvantage

a feature of someone or something that creates difficulty for achieving success

though his small size is a liability as a football player, he makes up for it with speed

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disadvantage
• handicap
• shortcoming
• debit
• drawback
• downside
• negative
• minus
• disbenefit
• incommodity
• impairment
• disability
• strike
• obstacle
• hurdle
• stranglehold
• failing
• albatross
• interference
• obstruction
• impediment
• embarrassment
• hindrance
• millstone
• let
• hitch
• rub
• clog
• catch
• shackle
• crimp
• stop
• trammel
• check
• bar
• manacle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• asset
• advantage
• edge
• margin
• control
• plus
• vantage
• lead
• start
• jump
• privilege
• transcendence
• predominance
• head start
• opportunity
• superiority
• supremacy
• mastery
• drop
• command
• ascendancy
• prerogative
• upper hand
• assistance
• aid
• help
• break
• better

2

as in responsibility

the state of being held as the cause of something that needs to be set right

the liability for the accident is held by the person who was driving too fast

Synonyms & Similar Words

• responsibility
• blame
• fault
• accountability
• answerability

3

as in exposure

the state of being left without shelter or protection against something harmful

failure to properly clean the wound could increase your liability to infection

Synonyms & Similar Words

• exposure
• vulnerability
• risk
• openness
• susceptibility
• predisposition
• danger
• helplessness
• jeopardy
• peril
• weakness
• defenselessness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• protection
• shielding
• safeguarding
• sheltering

4

as in likelihood

the quality or state of being likely to occur

what's the liability that he'll file a formal complaint if he's refused admission?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• likelihood
• probability
• possibility
• credibility
• plausibility
• potentiality
• reasonableness
• reasonability
• plausibleness
• viability
• feasibility
• feasibleness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• improbability
• unlikelihood
• impracticability
• unlikeliness
• impracticality
• dubiousness
• doubtfulness
• implausibility
• incredibility
• incredibleness

5

as in debt

usually liabilities plural something (as money) which is owed

your liabilities total about $200,000

Synonyms & Similar Words

• debt
• obligation
• indebtedness
• score
• arrears
• bankruptcy
• arrearage
• debit
• bond
• delinquency
• default
• insolvency
• embarrassment

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• repayment
• asset
• quietus
• quittance

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of liability

And a claim without substance behind it is a liability waiting for one sharp question at a trade counter. — Ali Aydan, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Policy highlights Amica's Platinum Choice plan comes with 130% dwelling coverage, increased valuable coverage and higher limits for liability and medical payments. — Liz Knueven, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026

The largest carriers already have reasons to stay compliant, including public reputation and legal liability. — John Kelly, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026

To show how far things have progressed, the Reaper today is regarded as not only obsolescent, but a growing liability. — New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2026