as in responsibility
willingness or obligation to explain one's actions or to admit being the cause of a problem
There is a push to increase accountability among government officials.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 accountability
Those changes do not erase accountability.
—
Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
That set in motion an effort to achieve healing and accountability through a restorative justice process.
—Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 16 Jan. 2026
The Brown Act is a state law meant to ensure transparency and accountability for governing bodies.
—Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2026
Here in 2026, ICE is the masked face of law enforcement, with plenty of power and little of the accountability.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for accountability
Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
That set in motion an effort to achieve healing and accountability through a restorative justice process.
—Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 16 Jan. 2026
The Brown Act is a state law meant to ensure transparency and accountability for governing bodies.
—Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2026
Here in 2026, ICE is the masked face of law enforcement, with plenty of power and little of the accountability.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for accountability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accountability
responsibility
Noun
-
In high-stakes industries where regulatory oversight and fiduciary responsibility are most critical, this transparency is necessary for compliance, accountability, and trust.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Peyton Watson, who has excelled as Denver’s de facto second scoring option this month, shouldered heavy defensive responsibility as Doncic’s primary matchup.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Accountability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accountability. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
