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

This short statement had been a missing part of the bylaws, which instead emphasized the punishment of students who transferred for sports rather than holding the coaches or programs that recruited them accountable. —The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 4 May 2026

Validated incidences of such violations and violators of the public trust must be held accountable. —Linh Tat, Oc Register, 4 May 2026

Operating under a charter from the state, Amistad Academy was publicly funded, tuition free, open to all, and accountable for its academic results: If student outcomes fell short, Connecticut could decline to renew its five-year license. —Steven F. Wilson, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026

The resignations of three members of Congress over misconduct allegations demonstrate that the U.S. House — which most Americans think can’t get its act together — not only has the capacity to hold members accountable, but can also do so rapidly. —Mary Ellen Klas, Twin Cities, 23 Apr. 2026