Synonyms of accountable

accountable

adjective

ə-ˈkau̇n-tə-bəl 

as in responsible

being the one who must meet an obligation or suffer the consequences for failing to do so

the owner was held accountable for his dog's biting of the child

Synonyms & Similar Words

• responsible
• liable
• answerable
• amenable
• indebted
• obligated
• beholden
• obliged

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• irresponsible
• unaccountable
• exempt
• immune
• nonaccountable

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective accountable contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of accountable are amenable, answerable, liable, and responsible. While all these words mean "subject to being held to account," 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 accountable?

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 answerable a more appropriate choice than accountable?

While in some cases nearly identical to accountable, 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

When would responsible be a good substitute for accountable?

The words responsible and accountable can be used in similar contexts, but responsible implies holding a specific office, duty, or trust.

the bureau responsible for revenue collection

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of accountable

The charges represent a rare moment of the Justice Department seeking to hold immigration officers accountable. — Ryan Lucas, NPR, 3 Sep. 2026

But as one of the only FBI agents taking Easton’s crimes and Catherine’s intentions seriously, Alice is forced to confront her own pain and trauma in order to try and capture Catherine and hold Easton accountable for his crimes. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 2 Sep. 2026

Other members of the caucus said people need to be held accountable, including DeSantis. — Gray Rohrer, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026

Of course, physicians are not beyond reproach and should be held accountable when care is careless, harmful, or below the standard our patients deserve. — Jennifer Adaeze Okwerekwu, STAT, 1 Sep. 2026