Synonyms of blameworthy

blameworthy

adjective

ˈblām-ˌwər-t͟hē 

as in guilty

deserving reproach or blame

we were all equally blameworthy, whether we had openly approved the free-speech restrictions or simply kept quiet about them

Synonyms & Similar Words

• guilty
• culpable
• reprehensible
• blamable
• punishable
• reckless
• bad
• censurable
• at fault
• improper
• criminal
• reproachable
• sinful
• foolish
• wrongful
• irresponsible
• illegal
• wicked
• unlawful
• indictable
• chargeable
• illicit
• illegitimate
• impeachable
• disciplinable
• amerciable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• blameless
• perfect
• faultless
• impeccable
• pure
• irreproachable
• flawless
• innocent
• guiltless

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

Recent Examples of blameworthy

Alternatively, if the foundation knew of warning signs, or should have detected warning signs, Learfield might be less blameworthy. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 3 Sep. 2019

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

But even more blameworthy has been the president’s assault on U.S. institutions, which began long before the novel coronavirus appeared and will be felt long after it is gone. —Daron Acemoglu, Foreign Affairs, 23 Mar. 2020

His political support group consists mainly of sycophants who seek status by riding his popular coattails, while the erstwhile staff of his late presidential office have either now become subjects for criminal prosecution or — if not blameworthy — are adamantly urging against his return. —Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 3 May 2024

On the whole, Google's spam filter, though in this instance imperfect, is not morally blameworthy. —Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, 25 Aug. 2023

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