Synonyms of culpability

culpability 1 of 2

noun

ˌkəl-pə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

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

• blame
• guilt
• onus
• fault
• complicity
• sinfulness
• accusation
• condemnation
• rap
• blameworthiness
• guiltiness
• remorse
• censure
• denunciation
• regret
• finger-pointing
• reproach
• shame
• self-reproach

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• innocence
• blamelessness
• guiltlessness
• faultlessness

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

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonym Chooser

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

Recent Examples of culpability

Noun

Daniel denied culpability, claiming that the funds supplied to Trevez had been for back pay performed while the couple were in Cuba. — News Desk, Artforum, 26 May 2026

Not Nico Harrison-level guilt, but culpability, which is why Kidd is no longer the head coach of the Dallas Mavericks. — Mac Engel may 20, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 May 2026

Adjective

In addition to the probe by the Maldives government, prosecutors in Rome have opened a culpable homicide investigation into the tragedy, sources told the Italian news agency ANSA. — Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 19 May 2026

Alexander pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of culpable homicide and attempting to pervert the course of justice, while Robert also pleaded guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice. — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 5 May 2026