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

Those feedings typically run afoul of associations’ governing documents and their rules and regulations due to the potential nuisances, unsanitary conditions, property damage, and liabilities that feral cats and other animals can create. — Michael L. Hyman, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2026

That would-be buyer is a limited liability company — HSF Fairlane — linked to the Hull Property Group in Augusta, Georgia. — Jc Reindl, Freep.com, 22 Sep. 2026

The war in Iran has become a major liability in the midterms, with Americans strongly opposed to the war and concerned about high gas prices, according to public polling. — Miles J. Herszenhorn, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026

Many commercial leases and client contracts require proof of general liability coverage before a business can even sign, which often functions as a de facto requirement for many Kansas small businesses even without a state mandate behind it. — Gretchen Wittenmyer-Stone, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026