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
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of culpability
Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
In his complaint, Hernandez claimed Ziering knowingly lied to law enforcement to avoid his own culpability, resulting in his wrongful arrest and incarceration.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 2 Jan. 2026
Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 18 Nov. 2025
Is Jenny culpable for hiring a sketchy nanny, Carrie (Sophia Lillis)?
—Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for culpability
Noun
Roughly 1,000 people had accepted culpability and pleaded guilty.
—Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
In his complaint, Hernandez claimed Ziering knowingly lied to law enforcement to avoid his own culpability, resulting in his wrongful arrest and incarceration.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 2 Jan. 2026
Adjective
The sentence is less than prosecutors sought but the judge concluded Bahi was less culpable than his boss.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 18 Nov. 2025
Is Jenny culpable for hiring a sketchy nanny, Carrie (Sophia Lillis)?
—Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for culpability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for culpability
Noun
-
Israel and Hamas have traded blame over the violations of the deal.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
11 Jan. 2026
-
On the five-year anniversary this week, the White House launched a web page casting blame on Democrats, then-Vice President Mike Pence, and Capitol Police for the violence that transpired that day.—
Justin Papp,
CNBC,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Norman Macksoni, 47, pleaded not guilty to one count of rape and possession of extreme images.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Bartelt was found guilty in Blodgett's death, and sentenced to life in prison without parole, despite his defense maintaining his innocence.—
Mason Leath,
ABC News,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Advertisement Because women are socialized to be responsible, empathetic, and attuned to others’ needs, deciding to leave can result in feelings of guilt and shame.—
Oona Metz,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
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Depression symptoms include feelings of sadness, hopelessness, anxiety, guilt or irritability, as well as loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
As the shutdown goes on, moreover, the polling on which side is more to blame seems to be gradually shifting toward Democrats as the more blameworthy side.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Culpability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/culpability. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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