liable
adjective
especially in sense 2 often
ˈlī-bəl \
Definition of liable
1a : obligated according to law or equity (see equity sense 3) : responsible liable for the debts incurred by his wife
b : subject to appropriation or attachment All his property is liable to pay his debts.
2a : being in a position to incur —used with to liable to a fine
b : exposed or subject to some usually adverse contingency or action watch out or you're liable to fall
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Synonyms & Antonyms for liable
Synonyms
endangered, exposed, open, sensitive, subject (to), susceptible, vulnerable
Antonyms
insusceptible, invulnerable, unexposed, unsusceptible
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Examples of liable in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Impeachment is a blunt political tool, liable to inflame underlying disagreements. — The Economist, "The case against impeachment," 12 July 2018 Who do insurers hold liable when an autonomous vehicle errs? — Jason Laughlin, Philly.com, "The nation's top highway official talks self driving cars," 28 June 2018 The suit also sought to have the county held liable for Clarke’s actions. — Angela Helm, The Root, "Sheriff Clarke Heads to Trial for Facebook ‘Snowflake’ Threat," 6 Jan. 2018 The firm was found liable for 27 of the citations as May 2017. — Robert Channick, chicagotribune.com, "Lincoln Towing says it's losing business as license hearing stirs 'public outcry' over alleged violations," 4 June 2018 Three years later, they were found liable for negligence. — Gabriella Paiella, The Cut, "Rape Survivor Awarded $1 Billion by Jury," 25 May 2018 In most jurisdictions, individuals cannot be found liable under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act; the Americans with Disabilities Act or the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. — Anchorage Daily News, "Some employees I manage are accused of harassment. Can my company hang me out to dry for their behavior?," 30 Apr. 2018 In the lawsuit, filed on behalf of Teena’s family years later, a Nebraska county sheriff was found liable for failing to protect Teen, and his family won an $80,000 judgment. — Benjamin Hart, Daily Intelligencer, "Shock and Grief After Gay-Rights Lawyer Lights Himself on Fire in Brooklyn," 15 Apr. 2018 After the four-day long trial, a jury found Gary Shannon Gates liable for the assault and battery by way of physical abuse. — Ivana Hrynkiw, AL.com, "Jury awards $300,000 to woman who said former Alabama State Trooper sexually assaulted her," 6 Apr. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'liable.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for liable
liable
adjective
English Language Learners Definition of liable
: legally responsible for something
: likely to be affected or harmed by something
: likely to do something
See the full definition for liable in the English Language Learners Dictionary
liable
adjective
\
Kids Definition of liable
1 : likely sense 1 It's liable to rain.
2 : judged by law to be responsible for something We are liable for damage that we do.
3 : not sheltered or protected (as from danger or accident) liable to injury
liable
adjective
\
Legal Definition of liable
1 : answerable according to law : bound or obligated according to law or equity one is liable as an accomplice to the crime of another —W. R. LaFave and A. W. Scott, Jr. the estate is liable for succession taxes —Commissioner of Revenue Services v. Estate of Culpepper, 493 A.2d 297 (1985)
2a : being in a position to incur —used with to liable to a fine property liable to duties
b : subject or amenable according to law
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