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as in responsible
being the one who must meet an obligation or suffer the consequences for failing to do so the owner of a pet is liable for any damage that that pet might do

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective liable contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of liable are exposed, open, prone, sensitive, subject, and susceptible. While all these words mean "being by nature or through circumstances likely to experience something adverse," liable implies a possibility or probability of incurring something because of position, nature, or particular situation.

liable to get lost

When is it sensible to use exposed instead of liable?

The words exposed and liable are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exposed suggests lack of protection or powers of resistance against something actually present or threatening.

exposed to infection

In what contexts can open take the place of liable?

While the synonyms open and liable are close in meaning, open stresses a lack of barriers preventing incurrence.

a claim open to question

When might prone be a better fit than liable?

The meanings of prone and liable largely overlap; however, prone stresses natural tendency or propensity to incur something.

prone to delay

When would sensitive be a good substitute for liable?

While in some cases nearly identical to liable, sensitive implies a readiness to respond to or be influenced by forces or stimuli.

unduly sensitive to criticism

When is subject a more appropriate choice than liable?

In some situations, the words subject and liable are roughly equivalent. However, subject implies an openness for any reason to something that must be suffered or undergone.

all reports are subject to review

When could susceptible be used to replace liable?

The synonyms susceptible and liable are sometimes interchangeable, but susceptible implies conditions existing in one's nature or individual constitution that make incurrence probable.

very susceptible to flattery

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 liable Thus, the spotlight shines brightly at a school like Penn State, where the money for the next head coach is also liable to be enormous. Max Dible, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025 Then, guests can go to court and try to prove a cruise company was liable. Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2025 After conceding three more counter-attack goals at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan last weekend, there’s an increasing feeling that when the press doesn’t quite click, things are more liable to go spectacularly wrong. Thom Harris, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025 The company has won some of the mesothelioma trials, including last week in South Carolina, where a jury found J&J not liable. Reuters 14 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for liable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for liable
Adjective
  • These missions are susceptible to cuts when politicians look to reduce spending.
    Big Think, Big Think, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Dogs with thick, double-layered coats tend to be more resistant to cold, while dogs with thin coats are more susceptible to cold, according to PetMD.
    Jenna Prestininzi, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Critics worry the exemptions are too broad and could protect the corporations responsible for the pollution, leaving taxpayers with the cleanup costs.
    Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Over the summer, a group of Indiana organizers responsible for rallying major crowds at the Indiana Statehouse in a matter of months disbanded after infighting divided its core organizers.
    Cate Charron, IndyStar, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Political parties, media brands, and government agencies turn out to be just a collection of individuals vulnerable to pressure and attack.
    Ben Smith, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2025
  • The very young are particularly vulnerable to the potential harmful effects from lead exposure because of their smaller body sizes and rapid metabolism and growth.
    Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Avoid posting sensitive information like travel plans, birthdays or financial updates on social media.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2025
  • The Creature, who remains nameless throughout the novel, develops into a sensitive and inquisitive soul, yet one shunned by the world for his appearance.
    Big Think, Big Think, 14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The eggs are the first fossils to be reliably dated from the Qinglongshan fossil reserve, which includes three sites containing more than 3,000 eggs, the majority of which are semi-exposed and preserved in 3D, with their original shapes largely intact.
    Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Showcase the Apple iPhone Air’s slim design while protecting it with this bumper that leaves the front and back exposed.
    Nora Colomer may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • During periods of intense rainfall, the risk of flooding increases, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Some experts, meanwhile, say that instead of demanding that insurers sell their stake in fossil fuel companies, advocates and policymakers should focus on modernizing regulations to persuade insurers to expand coverage in fire-prone areas.
    Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Liable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/liable. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

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