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.
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Recent Examples of accountability
Missouri publishes salary information on the state’s accountability portal.
—
Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 27 Jan. 2026
The fallout continues from the aggressive tactics of federal agents in Minnesota, with bipartisan calls for accountability after the state was rocked by two fatal shootings this month.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Bill Clinton circumvented political accountability by pardoning the financier Marc Rich, the ex-husband of an influential Democratic donor, on the last day of his presidency.
—Bernadette Meyler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
The only choice, as Andrews sees it, is to take accountability, reclaim agency and collectively reimagine how to live.
—Tara Anne Dalbow, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for accountability
Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 27 Jan. 2026
The fallout continues from the aggressive tactics of federal agents in Minnesota, with bipartisan calls for accountability after the state was rocked by two fatal shootings this month.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Bill Clinton circumvented political accountability by pardoning the financier Marc Rich, the ex-husband of an influential Democratic donor, on the last day of his presidency.
—Bernadette Meyler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
The only choice, as Andrews sees it, is to take accountability, reclaim agency and collectively reimagine how to live.
—Tara Anne Dalbow, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for accountability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accountability
responsibility
Noun
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The sweeps, in addition to crowd-management responsibilities, are typically dealt with by local police, who often have more experience and training in de-escalating large demonstrations and tamping down civil unrest.—
Anna Schecter,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
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Glenn initially planned to keep Engstrand on staff while reducing his responsibilities, including stripping him of play-calling duties.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Accountability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accountability. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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