responsibility

noun

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re·spon·si·bil·i·ty | \ ri-ˌspän(t)-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē

plural responsibilities

Definition of responsibility

1 : the quality or state of being responsible: such as

a : moral, legal, or mental accountability

b : reliability, trustworthiness

2 : something for which one is responsible : burden has neglected his responsibilities

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Synonyms for responsibility

Synonyms

Examples of responsibility in a Sentence

… Landau's piece, examining the fan's, and the journalist's responsibility to rock stars … — Lawrence Dietz, Los Angeles Times Book Review, 23 May 1971 A great soprano has a responsibility to her public … — Robert Evett, Atlantic, September 1970 The responsibility for engineering the line of cars which in 1908 evolved the immortal Model T … — John Kenneth Galbraith, New York Times Book Review, 28 Feb. 1954 Anthony Burton had once said that this was your responsibility toward society. — John P. Marquand, Atlantic, Nov. 1947 The boys denied any responsibility for the damage to the fence. A terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the bombing. The janitor has many responsibilities. Mowing the lawn is your responsibility. She has to deal with a lot of family and work responsibilities. It is your responsibility to give the company two weeks notice if you decide to leave. In her new position, she will have much more responsibility. We have a responsibility to protect the environment. The government's responsibility is to serve the public. The principal has responsibility for 450 students and a staff of 35.

Recent Examples on the Web With Davis hobbled since Game 4, James was left to take on more responsibility. — Duane Rankin, The Arizona Republic, 6 June 2021 Much of her career focused on community affairs, corporate social responsibility, philanthropy, volunteer activities and diversity. — Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 5 June 2021 But Pham noted insurers could reward physicians and hospitals that take greater responsibility for their patients’ overall health with higher rates for telehealth. — Noam N. Levey, USA TODAY, 5 June 2021 The day after the Indianapolis rally, my father spoke at the Cleveland City Club, urging listeners, White members of a bastion of local power, to take responsibility for the systemic violence upon which their social standing was built. — Kerry Kennedy, CNN, 5 June 2021 Israel has tacitly acknowledged responsibility for the Natanz explosion and attacks on other Iranian nuclear facilities, as well as the brazen killing of a top nuclear scientist. — BostonGlobe.com, 2 June 2021 Israel has tacitly acknowledged responsibility for the Natanz explosion and attacks on other Iranian nuclear facilities, as well as the brazen killing of a top nuclear scientist. — New York Times, 2 June 2021 Also, share responsibility and tasks by delegating tasks to those who are best suited to perform them. — Doug Holt, Forbes, 1 June 2021 Individual responsibility, traditional values and Judeo-Christian faith are impediments to a communal, progressive utopia. — WSJ, 25 May 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'responsibility.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

7 Jun 2021

Cite this Entry

“Responsibility.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/responsibility. Accessed 13 Jun. 2021.

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MLA