Try This Instead

For
Try This
a responsible adult
a dependable adult
a reliable adult
a trustworthy adult
an accountable adult
responsible decisions
careful decisions
mature decisions
appropriate decisions
thoughtful decisions
proactive decisions
a responsible government
a capable government
a competent government
a vigilant government
a prudent government
a resourceful government
responsible behavior
reliable behavior
righteous behavior
dependable behavior
mature behavior
accountable behavior

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective responsible contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of responsible are accountable, amenable, answerable, and liable. While all these words mean "subject to being held to account," responsible implies holding a specific office, duty, or trust.

the bureau responsible for revenue collection

When could accountable be used to replace responsible?

The words accountable and responsible are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, accountable suggests imminence of retribution for unfulfilled trust or violated obligation.

elected officials are accountable to the voters

How do amenable and liable relate to one another, in the sense of responsible?

Both amenable and liable stress the fact of subjection to review, censure, or control by a designated authority under certain conditions.

laws are amenable to judicial review
not liable for the debts of the former spouse

When is it sensible to use answerable instead of responsible?

The synonyms answerable and responsible are sometimes interchangeable, but answerable suggests a relation between one having a moral or legal obligation and a court or other authority charged with oversight of its observance.

an intelligence agency answerable to Congress

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 responsible The Royal Portfolio co-owner Liz Biden is responsible for the lodges’ interiors and is known for her eclectic, colorful style. Heather Richardson, Travel + Leisure, 18 May 2025 The person believed responsible for an attack targeting a Southern California fertility clinic Saturday posted rambling online writings before an explosion that investigators are treating as an act of terrorism, according to a law enforcement official. Eric Tucker, Christian Science Monitor, 18 May 2025 Amid a growing prison crisis, medical and geriatric parole reforms provide a sound framework for constructing a compassionate and fiscally responsible path forward. Natasha Dartigue, Baltimore Sun, 18 May 2025 Alongside William Saliba, who mainly defends the far post, Havertz and Gabriel are responsible for the near post and the central zone. Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 18 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for responsible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for responsible
Adjective
  • Stork, a longtime opponent of the dam raise, said the Trump administration is liable to ignore the state law.
    CalMatters, Mercury News, 13 May 2025
  • By the end of the trial, Heard was found liable in all three matters of defamation raised.
    Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • The problem with inland water Environmental scientists have a reliable way of monitoring the water quality at popular coastal beaches, often by taking samples on a daily or weekly basis.
    Angela Haupt, Time, 23 May 2025
  • To be fair to les frères Dardennes, there is a reliable level of unshowy competence as well as an integrity to their insistence on embedding with unglamorous, recognizable people.
    Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 23 May 2025
Adjective
  • If the sky becomes threatening and thunder can be heard, find a safe place to shelter.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 25 May 2025
  • In healthy cultures, people feel safe to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and explore new ideas.
    Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
Adjective
  • Brands can now measure interactions that happen across different channels and touchpoints, such as call center conversions or in-store actions—creating a true omnichannel view.
    Heidi Bullock, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
  • The Johnny King Buck In 2006, Wisconsin deer hunter Johnny King shot what some folks believe is the true world-record typical whitetail.
    Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • The news comes on the heels of THR’s 58 SoCal Journalism Awards nominations, including best website and three journalist of the year noms.
    THR Staff, HollywoodReporter, 19 May 2025
  • Instead, eating and preparing them may simply entail extra care and adherence to best food safety practices.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • Under the Biden administration, the number of controllers held steady with a head count of 13,853 at the end of the 2023 fiscal year, the latest data available.
    Linda Qiu, New York Times, 17 May 2025
  • One year later, Day, the Arkansas softball team’s steady utility player, delivered one of the biggest hits in program history.
    Ethan Westerman, Arkansas Online, 17 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Responsible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/responsible. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on responsible

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!