Synonyms of liability

liability

noun

ˌlī-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

1

as in disadvantage

a feature of someone or something that creates difficulty for achieving success

though his small size is a liability as a football player, he makes up for it with speed

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disadvantage
• handicap
• shortcoming
• debit
• drawback
• downside
• negative
• minus
• disbenefit
• incommodity
• impairment
• disability
• strike
• obstacle
• hurdle
• stranglehold
• failing
• albatross
• interference
• obstruction
• impediment
• embarrassment
• hindrance
• millstone
• let
• hitch
• rub
• clog
• catch
• shackle
• crimp
• stop
• trammel
• check
• bar
• manacle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• asset
• advantage
• edge
• margin
• control
• plus
• vantage
• lead
• start
• jump
• privilege
• transcendence
• predominance
• head start
• opportunity
• superiority
• supremacy
• mastery
• drop
• command
• ascendancy
• prerogative
• upper hand
• assistance
• aid
• help
• break
• better

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

• responsibility
• blame
• fault
• accountability
• answerability

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

• exposure
• vulnerability
• risk
• openness
• susceptibility
• predisposition
• danger
• helplessness
• jeopardy
• peril
• weakness
• defenselessness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• protection
• shielding
• safeguarding
• sheltering

4

as in likelihood

the quality or state of being likely to occur

what's the liability that he'll file a formal complaint if he's refused admission?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• likelihood
• probability
• possibility
• credibility
• plausibility
• potentiality
• reasonableness
• reasonability
• plausibleness
• viability
• feasibility
• feasibleness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• improbability
• unlikelihood
• impracticability
• unlikeliness
• impracticality
• dubiousness
• doubtfulness
• implausibility
• incredibility
• incredibleness

5

as in debt

usually liabilities plural something (as money) which is owed

your liabilities total about $200,000

Synonyms & Similar Words

• debt
• obligation
• indebtedness
• score
• arrears
• bankruptcy
• arrearage
• debit
• bond
• delinquency
• default
• insolvency
• embarrassment

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• repayment
• asset
• quietus
• quittance

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of liability

In many organizations, this generational collision is framed as a liability. — Kent Ingle, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2026

In the aftermath of the massacre, around 258 claims were filed, but the government later enacted the Indemnity Act of 1961, shielding officials from legal liability and extinguishing the claims. — Michelle Gumede, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026

The unresolved wildfire liability risk has also complicated PG&E’s push to regain an investment-grade credit rating. — Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026

The legislation also sweetens conditions for productions that choose to monetize a portion of their tax credits instead of putting the full value toward their tax liability. — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026