CULPABILITIES Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'culpable' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of culpable are blamable , blameworthy , and guilty . While all these words mean "deserving reproach or punishment," culpable is weaker than guilty and is likely to connote malfeasance or errors of ignorance, omission, or negligence. // culpable neglect

Q: How are the words 'blameworthy' and 'blamable' related as synonyms of 'culpable'?

Both blameworthy and blamable apply to any degree of reprehensibility. // conduct adjudged blameworthy // an accident for which no one is blamable

Q: When could 'guilty' be used to replace 'culpable'?

While in some cases nearly identical to culpable , guilty implies responsibility for or consciousness of crime, sin, or, at the least, grave error or misdoing. // guilty of a breach of etiquette

culpability 1 of 2

noun

ˌkəl-pə-ˈbi-lə-tē

Definition of culpability next

as in blame

responsibility for wrongdoing or failure cannot find culpability where there is neither knowledge that a crime has been committed nor evidence of intent to commit a crime

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

culpable

2 of 2

adjective

ˈkəl-pə-bəl

as in guilty

deserving reproach or blame are you any less culpable for murder if you acted in the heat of passion?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Some common synonyms of culpable are blamable, blameworthy, and guilty. While all these words mean "deserving reproach or punishment," culpable is weaker than guilty and is likely to connote malfeasance or errors of ignorance, omission, or negligence.

culpable neglect

How are the words blameworthy and blamable related as synonyms of culpable?

Both blameworthy and blamable apply to any degree of reprehensibility.

conduct adjudged blameworthy

an accident for which no one is blamable

When could guilty be used to replace culpable?

While in some cases nearly identical to culpable, 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

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Recent Examples of culpability

Noun

The autopsy report, however, is only a classification of how the person died and does in itself not imply that the death was intentional or determine any criminal culpability. —

Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026 The Pick Six column wades into the Packers’ fourth-quarter collapse to assess LaFleur’s culpability, while all wait to hear whether the organization extends the coach’s contract or considers moving in another direction. —

Mike Sando, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026

Adjective

Jurors found Texas blogger Milagro Cooper culpable of defamation, and has been ordered to pay Megan Thee Stallion, whose real name is Megan Pete, $75,000. —

Steven Yablonski, CBS News, 1 Dec. 2025 As much as those who exploited Holocaust memory and human-rights discourse for potential gain, the anti-totalitarians are culpable for the near-total breakdown of political and moral norms today. —

Victor J. Blue, Harpers Magazine, 23 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for culpability

Recent Examples of Synonyms for culpability

Noun

Four young men were accused of the killings, but more than 30 years later, DNA and ballistic evidence laid the blame squarely on the late Robert Eugene Brashers.

— Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 7 Mar. 2026
Trump’s executive order lays the blame for the stagnation of nuclear power at the NRC’s feet.

— Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 6 Mar. 2026