LIABLE Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'liable' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of liable are exposed , open , prone , sensitive , subject , and susceptible . While all these words mean "being by nature or through circumstances likely to experience something adverse," liable implies a possibility or probability of incurring something because of position, nature, or particular situation. // liable to get lost

Q: When is it sensible to use 'exposed' instead of 'liable'?

The words exposed and liable are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exposed suggests lack of protection or powers of resistance against something actually present or threatening. // exposed to infection

Q: In what contexts can 'open' take the place of 'liable'?

While the synonyms open and liable are close in meaning, open stresses a lack of barriers preventing incurrence. // a claim open to question

Q: When might 'prone' be a better fit than 'liable'?

The meanings of prone and liable largely overlap; however, prone stresses natural tendency or propensity to incur something. // prone to delay

Q: When would 'sensitive' be a good substitute for 'liable'?

While in some cases nearly identical to liable , sensitive implies a readiness to respond to or be influenced by forces or stimuli. // unduly sensitive to criticism

Q: When is 'subject' a more appropriate choice than 'liable'?

In some situations, the words subject and liable are roughly equivalent. However, subject implies an openness for any reason to something that must be suffered or undergone. // all reports are subject to review

Q: When could 'susceptible' be used to replace 'liable'?

The synonyms susceptible and liable are sometimes interchangeable, but susceptible implies conditions existing in one's nature or individual constitution that make incurrence probable. // very susceptible to flattery

liable

adjective

ˈlī-ə-bəl

Definition of liable next

as in susceptible

being in a situation where one is likely to meet with harm because of his frail constitution, he's liable to diseases

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in responsible

being the one who must meet an obligation or suffer the consequences for failing to do so the owner of a pet is liable for any damage that that pet might do

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective liable contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of liable are exposed, open, prone, sensitive, subject, and susceptible. While all these words mean "being by nature or through circumstances likely to experience something adverse," liable implies a possibility or probability of incurring something because of position, nature, or particular situation.

liable to get lost

When is it sensible to use exposed instead of liable?

The words exposed and liable are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exposed suggests lack of protection or powers of resistance against something actually present or threatening.

exposed to infection

In what contexts can open take the place of liable?

While the synonyms open and liable are close in meaning, open stresses a lack of barriers preventing incurrence.

a claim open to question

When might prone be a better fit than liable?

The meanings of prone and liable largely overlap; however, prone stresses natural tendency or propensity to incur something.

prone to delay

When would sensitive be a good substitute for liable?

While in some cases nearly identical to liable, sensitive implies a readiness to respond to or be influenced by forces or stimuli.

unduly sensitive to criticism

When is subject a more appropriate choice than liable?

In some situations, the words subject and liable are roughly equivalent. However, subject implies an openness for any reason to something that must be suffered or undergone.

all reports are subject to review

When could susceptible be used to replace liable?

The synonyms susceptible and liable are sometimes interchangeable, but susceptible implies conditions existing in one's nature or individual constitution that make incurrence probable.

very susceptible to flattery

Examples of liable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In addition to supporting the criminal prosecution, our clients look forward to holding Abercrombie and Fitch liable for facilitating this terrible conduct and ensuring that this cannot happen to other young aspiring models. —

Christine Pelisek, People.com, 22 Oct. 2024 The bill, adopted by the Senate, makes Italians who seek surrogacy in other countries liable for prosecution on their return home. —

Eleanor Pringle, Fortune Europe, 17 Oct. 2024 Still, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement announcing the DOT's fine on Tuesday that the airline was still liable for its violations. —

Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 15 Oct. 2024 Even if the payor is not within the personal jurisdiction of the Court and cannot be held in contempt, a payor which does not remit funds according to the assignment order might become liable to the creditor on some theory or another. —

Jay Adkisson, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for liable

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'liable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.