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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

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 liable Consumer disclosures are mandatory, and companies remain liable for damages. Paulo Carvão, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025 If a dog that has not been officially declared dangerous severely injures or kills a person when unprovoked, authorities may confiscate the dog, and the dog’s owner is liable for the incident. Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025 The president was also found liable for defaming Carroll over her allegations. Dan Gooding gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025 Fairlead Strategies, its officers, employees, affiliates and partners shall not be liable to any person in any way whatsoever for any losses, costs, or claims for your reliance on this material. Katie Stockton, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for liable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for liable
Adjective
  • The largest member of the grass family, bamboo is combustible, susceptible to deterioration and weaker in rain, raising legitimate questions about its durability, Arup’s Ho said.
    Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Those are straightforward power rushes designed to contain mobile quarterbacks rather than spamming exotic pressure looks that could leave the defensive line susceptible to holes.
    Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Fight back against the bulls--- framing that tries to make Dems responsible for everything.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Violence is violence, and there is one person responsible for what happened, and that person is now in custody and will be charged soon and will be held accountable.
    Adisa Hargett-Robinson, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Last month, the Food and Drug Administration granted approval for COVID-19 vaccine doses for people over age 65, who are most vulnerable to severe infections.
    Jenny Goldsberry, The Washington Examiner, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Recent studies have shown entry-level positions especially vulnerable to automation are being scaled back thanks to AI.
    Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Bella, now three and a half years old, was described by Overbye as calm, sensitive, quiet, smart, and playful.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Prevent this by grounding AI in your documents and adding human review for sensitive content.
    Louis Mosca, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • And in the height of summer, with an extra air conditioner pumping in the corner, the heat from the semi-exposed kitchen can make the dining room feel slightly steamy.
    Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 29 Aug. 2025
  • There’s a good amount of pedaling and a few exposed, high-stakes areas.
    Shauna Farnell, Denver Post, 15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • But these figures only scratch the surface of Nepal’s deep economic problems, which include pervasive vulnerable employment – informal and insecure work that is prone to poor conditions and pay – and limited opportunities that constrain long-term productivity.
    Nir Kshetri, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2025
  • The man found his way to the roof, nestled down into the prone position and peered through a scope at Kirk less than 150 yards away.
    Rick Jervis, USA Today, 14 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Liable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/liable. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

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