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

When political leaders announce and track massive arrest and deportation targets, then department managers hold front-line supervisors accountable for quotas, triggering a mindless pursuit of bigger and better numbers to report. —Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2026

Reality Check is a Bee series holding officials and organizations accountable and shining a light on their decisions. —Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 4 Feb. 2026

Demands for transparency are increasing because revelations about this despairing state of affairs will clarify precisely who is accountable. —Azadeh Moaveni, Time, 3 Feb. 2026

Ann Arbor City Council is discussing its policy on non-cooperation with federal civil immigration enforcement, as lawmakers representing the city also introduce a bill to hold ICE agents accountable for potential Fourth Amendment violations. —Jack Springgate, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026