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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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

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 accountable The International Criminal Court, established in 2002, in the aftermath of the carnage in Rwanda and the Balkans, was designed to hold accountable future perpetrators of war crimes or crimes against humanity. David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2025 Our leadership from top to bottom needs to be held accountable. Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2025 Naughton also has a personal trainer named Jerry Joseph to push and keep her accountable. Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 4 Oct. 2025 Will Patel be held accountable? Douglas M. Charles, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for accountable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accountable
Adjective
  • The team member, who was responsible for the safe conduct of releasing car 16, misjudged the situation and gave unclear instructions to LEC, who could not see NOR’s car.
    Lydia Mee, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Launched in 2007 in the Argentinian Andes, the Sanin Project represents an 18-year journey dedicated to biodiversity conservation, community empowerment and the responsible sourcing of natural fibers.
    Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable.
    Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Any employer in a joint-employer relationship can be deemed liable for an unfair labor practice or other unlawful acts.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 4 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Accountable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accountable. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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