Synonyms of answerable

answerable

adjective

ˈan(t)-s(ə-)rə-bəl 

1

as in responsible

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

you are answerable for your own conduct at all times

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unaccountable
• irresponsible
• exempt
• immune
• nonaccountable

2

as in resolvable

capable of having the reason for or cause of determined

they say this equation is not answerable

Synonyms & Similar Words

• resolvable
• feasible
• explainable
• soluble
• explicable
• solvable
• analyzable
• workable
• decipherable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• insoluble
• inexplicable
• difficult
• hopeless
• unsolvable
• impossible
• unexplainable
• inextricable
• knotty
• insolvable
• unresolvable
• insuperable
• absurd
• ridiculous
• preposterous
• outlandish
• fantastic

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective answerable contrast with its synonyms?

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

Where would accountable be a reasonable alternative to answerable?

The synonyms accountable and answerable are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 answerable?

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 can responsible be used instead of answerable?

The meanings of responsible and answerable largely overlap; however, responsible implies holding a specific office, duty, or trust.

the bureau responsible for revenue collection

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of answerable

Liberal democracy requires that state power be limited, accountable, and answerable to law; that due process be sacrosanct; that enforcement remain proportional and transparent; and that when things go wrong, authorities are subject to credible review. —Emily Chamlee-Wright, Washington Post, 6 Feb. 2026

Some thinkers doubt that the question is even answerable, while others think the theory is impossible – like a 2025 paper arguing that no purely algorithmic system can explain the universe. —Rizwan Virk, The Conversation, 13 Nov. 2025

Also, sources familiar with Madrid’s internal discussions say that the current hierarchy wants to ensure that decisions such as hiring or firing the coach and player transfers would always be made by the board, which is ultimately answerable to the socios. —Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025

Public power companies, mostly municipally owned, are answerable to a city council or other board which makes decision-making more difficult, more political and slower. —Llewellyn King, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025