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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 But the Free Speech Coalition said companies might still be liable if a user in a state requiring age verification circumvents geographic targeting with a VPN. Jasmine Mithani, Them., 3 Sep. 2025 The rapper has been found not liable in a civil suit against her involving a security guard, ABC News reports. Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025 Though Katz is the only one liable for the unpaid wages, Singer says Furman made a deal with the unions to help pay members who worked on the original production. Gene Maddaus, Variety, 3 Sep. 2025 However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable. Stephanie Kuzydym, The Courier-Journal, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for liable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for liable
Adjective
  • However, due to space constraints, not all instruments could fit inside the titanium vault, and the ones that couldn’t would be more susceptible to the inevitable degradation that would ensue from being exposed to this radiation-rich environment.
    Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 3 Sep. 2025
  • This finding raises the possibility that mammoths, as close relatives of modern elephants, might have been susceptible to similar infections.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • These are all features developed by the building’s original creators, the Miami firm of Steward-Skinner and Associates, prominent architects of the time also responsible for the design of the Miami Seaquarium and MIA’s first jet-age terminal.
    Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Just because data is used does not mean that reliable, responsible insight is necessarily being delivered.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 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
  • Certain seed varieties are formulated to be less prone to splitting, including Stonehead, Savoy Ace, and Caraflex.
    Amy Brightfield, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Over 20 years, Belichick disciples became prone to treating players as disposable assets instead of human beings they are supposed to both employ and empower.
    Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Liable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/liable. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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