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
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Recent Examples of culpability
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
Implying that the chatbot and image generation program itself is accountable allows people to hide from their own culpability in the bot’s shadow.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 8 Jan. 2026
When Congress was writing the drug laws in the 1980s and ‘90s, it was thought that higher purity in meth suggested greater culpability.
—Kevin Krause, Dallas Morning News, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for 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
Implying that the chatbot and image generation program itself is accountable allows people to hide from their own culpability in the bot’s shadow.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 8 Jan. 2026
When Congress was writing the drug laws in the 1980s and ‘90s, it was thought that higher purity in meth suggested greater culpability.
—Kevin Krause, Dallas Morning News, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for culpability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for culpability
Noun
-
If a disagreement surfaces, state your point of view without blame (and be sure to let others share as well).—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
22 Feb. 2026
-
For several weeks, Fanatics took blame for the construction of the new uniforms before MLB and Nike took responsibility for the design and specs of the uniform.—
A.J. Perez,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In the restaurant on the top floor, Gray Kunz’s Café Gray Deluxe, the lamb tagine is so tender there’s no guilt for skipping a chance to have dim sum and Hong Kong’s signature egg tarts.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
-
The film ruminates on guilt, familial strife, and trauma with Ball’s signature bittersweet touch, earning a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Television Movie.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Culpability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/culpability. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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