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
Smithsonian Magazine, 29 July 2025
Max was reportedly considering an exit from the team, and many believe the exit of the team's centerpiece scared the higher-ups into axing Horner.
Both Max and Jos, however, deny culpability in the matter.
—Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 July 2025
Scott Kelly, Sourcing Journal, 4 Aug. 2025
No one seems to know what happened, or if Jeremy is culpable in some way, and intense scrutiny falls on Jeremy’s latest protégée, 15-year-old Julie.
—Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for culpability
Noun
Artists have also used their works to explore themes of culpability and punishment, and to demonstrate the consequences of infidelity for the families of the adulterers.
—Smithsonian Magazine, 29 July 2025
Max was reportedly considering an exit from the team, and many believe the exit of the team's centerpiece scared the higher-ups into axing Horner.
Both Max and Jos, however, deny culpability in the matter.
—Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 July 2025
Adjective
If states accelerate climate law reforms to avoid being seen as negligent—or worse, culpable—then policy signals may shift quickly.
—Scott Kelly, Sourcing Journal, 4 Aug. 2025
No one seems to know what happened, or if Jeremy is culpable in some way, and intense scrutiny falls on Jeremy’s latest protégée, 15-year-old Julie.
—Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for culpability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for culpability
Noun
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Peers are thriving in the very same economy that Dine’s board and management blame for their struggles.—
Jim Osman,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
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There was plenty of blame to go around Friday night following the Chiefs’ 27-21 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in São Paulo, Brazil.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Burns was indicted by a grand jury in Fayetteville in November and pleaded guilty to distribution of child pornography in February, according to court documents.—
NWA Democrat-Gazette,
Arkansas Online,
6 Sep. 2025
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McBee pleaded guilty to falsifying documents for unauthorized federal crop insurance benefits in November 2024 after waiving his right to a grand jury.—
Liza Esquibias,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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So, foster an environment where taking time off is normalized and supported, not something that creates anxiety or guilt.—
Johnny C. Taylor Jr,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
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Commenters asked her lots of questions about the case, including what evidence convinced her of Donna’s guilt.—
KC Baker,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Culpability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/culpability. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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