Definition of liabilitynext
1
2
as in responsibility
the state of being held as the cause of something that needs to be set right the liability for the accident is held by the person who was driving too fast

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in exposure
the state of being left without shelter or protection against something harmful failure to properly clean the wound could increase your liability to infection

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
5
as in debt
usually liabilities plural something (as money) which is owed your liabilities total about $200,000

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of liability The omnibus also removes the harmonized EU civil liability regime and access to third-party representative actions, making victims’ ability to obtain justice contingent on national laws that may vary among member states. Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 26 Feb. 2026 Silva is suing for gross negligence and premises liability, alleging Valero failed to take reasonable steps to protect workers and prevent the fire. Patrick Danner, San Antonio Express-News, 26 Feb. 2026 Other lawsuits have been filed in Travis County and Kerr County district courts against Camp Mystic, alleging negligence and liability. Alexa Shrake, Dallas Morning News, 25 Feb. 2026 The primary legal consideration for planting a tree close to a power line is liability. Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 25 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for liability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for liability
Noun
  • Gittens also had a further disadvantage.
    Cerys Jones, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
  • There were other theories as to why that might be, including the possibility that there was some evolutionary disadvantage to the Neanderthal X chromosome in humans.
    Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 26 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Simmons’ priorities are fiscal stability with responsibility, public health and accountability around the operation of the county jail.
    Rachel Royster Updated March 3, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Mar. 2026
  • January 20 – February 18 Trust deep bonds to clarify shared responsibilities.
    Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Also exercise earlier in the day rather than right before bed, keeping as regular a sleep schedule as possible, including on weekends, and getting light exposure in the morning.
    Lily Hautau, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026
  • Study authors also found that, during twilight hours, every exposure taken will likely have at least one streak in it with these circumstances.
    Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 5 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The likelihood of lightning increases as a thunderstorm gets closer and reaches its highest point when the storm is directly overhead.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2026
  • But one way to minimize the likelihood of getting stuck in one is to always compare investment opportunities against one another.
    Zev Fima, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • For starters, Paramount will come out of the deal with tens of billions of dollars in debt on its books.
    Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 28 Feb. 2026
  • With Paramount taking on billions in debt and equity for this deal to go through, many are wondering what will happen to the two California studio lots, especially in a moment where productions are rarer and rarer in California.
    Lindsey Bahr, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • This week’s tournament lists DeSantis as having a 10-handicap.
    Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The 75-foot Dry Falls—the most popular in western North Carolina—invites travelers to walk behind it while staying mostly dry or view it from the handicap-accessible overlook.
    Trudy Haywood Saunders, Travel + Leisure, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Headline-grabbing cases of apparent fraud at companies like Carriox (which allegedly misled its private-credit lenders) and auto lender Tricolor (where banks got hoodwinked) show there’s plenty of blame to go around.
    Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 2 Mar. 2026
  • But a child does not have the emotional or cognitive framework to process adult relationship details, especially the painful or blame-filled parts of a divorce.
    Jann Blackstone, Boston Herald, 1 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • China has been seeking to present itself as a reliable economic partner, as Europe struggles with a new, less certain relationship with Washington and the vulnerabilities in its supply chains exposed last year.
    Reuters, NBC news, 26 Feb. 2026
  • Advertisement One only needs to consider the ongoing humanitarian emergencies in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan to realize the consequences of giving up on our global responsibilities toward those who live with the extreme vulnerabilities that come with war.
    Time, Time, 26 Feb. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Liability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/liability. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on liability

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster