Synonym Chooser

How is the word blameworthy different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of blameworthy are blamable, culpable, and guilty. While all these words mean "deserving reproach or punishment," blameworthy and blamable apply to any degree of reprehensibility.

conduct adjudged blameworthy
an accident for which no one is blamable

When might culpable be a better fit than blameworthy?

Although the words culpable and blameworthy have much in common, culpable is weaker than guilty and is likely to connote malfeasance or errors of ignorance, omission, or negligence.

culpable neglect

When is guilty a more appropriate choice than blameworthy?

The words guilty and blameworthy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, guilty implies responsibility for or consciousness of crime, sin, or, at the least, grave error or misdoing.

guilty of a breach of etiquette

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 blameworthy His Stoic Challenge framework invites you to see a setback not as something terrible, blameworthy or unfair but instead as a test of your ingenuity and resilience. Hanna Hart, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025 But Miss Manners acknowledges that there is also the less blameworthy impulse to offer comfort — not just sympathy — when there is no real comfort to be offered. Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2025 To highlight the hazy line between blameworthy and praiseworthy failure, Edmondson routinely asks leaders to estimate the percentage of blameworthy mistakes in their organizations. Ann Kowal Smith, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2023 Additionally, studies show that people often direct retribution toward groups rather than individuals, such that people seeking revenge consider all Israelis or all Palestinians to be collectively blameworthy for the most extreme actions of a small number of people. Joshua Rottman, Scientific American, 20 Nov. 2023 Those blameworthy influencers, in turn, must identify their respective influences and apportion blame among them. Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 13 Nov. 2023 On the whole, Google's spam filter, though in this instance imperfect, is not morally blameworthy. Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, 25 Aug. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blameworthy
Adjective
  • Yergan Jones, 63, president of an audiovisual company, pleaded guilty to conspiring with the Gatlin by falsifying dozens of invoices for purported fundraising events between 2019 and 2024.
    Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The jury in the 371st District Court on Wednesday found O’Steen guilty of capital murder.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Since the oil and gas industry is responsible for about 50% of worldwide GHG emissions, the industry would be less culpable for earth’s temperature rise.
    Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The teen, whose mother also sobbed in court as her son was sentenced on Tuesday, had pleaded guilty to charges including culpable driving causing death, theft, and failing to render assistance in July, the Sydney Morning Herald noted.
    Becca Longmire, People.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Julia, who was already pregnant with her and Henry’s second child, is forced to work as a maidservant for the reprehensible Lord Lovat (Tony Curran), who happens to be the father of Brian.
    Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
  • This egregious act is reprehensible and never should have occurred.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Capital murder, if convicted, is punishable by life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.
    NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The most common charge is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500.
    Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Blameworthy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blameworthy. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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