culpability

noun

cul·​pa·​bil·​i·​ty ˌkəl-pə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

: responsibility for wrongdoing or failure : the quality or state of being culpable

moral/legal/criminal culpability

He refuses to acknowledge his own culpability.

Culpability for our failure to reduce petroleum imports falls across the political spectrum.

—Gregg Easterbrook

Synonyms of culpability

• blame
• guilt

Examples of culpability in a Sentence

cannot find culpability where there is neither knowledge that a crime has been committed nor evidence of intent to commit a crime

Recent Examples on the Web

Defense attorneys suggest the culpability of each defendant is in question. —Emerson Clarridge updated February 26, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Feb. 2026

Not to be outdone, Meta, fighting a pivotal lawsuit about its culpability with teens and social media addiction, also started multiple super PACs recently, dumping in tens of millions to support candidates — Republican or Democrat — who are against AI regulation (or at least any laws with teeth). —Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026

For decades, industries hoping to avoid regulation have reminded us about our personal culpability for social problems. —Rob Wolfe, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2026

The clash over Wexner’s naming rights has emerged as a proxy PR war running parallel to the ongoing legal fight over Ohio State’s culpability for Strauss’ abuse—with the first of those cases scheduled to go to trial this fall. —Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 26 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for culpability

• affability
• audibility
• bistability
• capability
• changeability
• contractility
• credibility
• disability
• disutility
• durability
• fallibility
• feasibility