1
as in blame
the state of being held as the cause of something that needs to be set right
responsibility for the accident lies with the driver who was speeding
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in obligation
something one must do because of prior agreement
I had the responsibility of closing up the shop at night
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in reliability
worthiness as the recipient of another's trust or confidence
the newspaper publisher should hire kids of greater responsibility to deliver its papers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of responsibility
Introverts don’t get a pass on those responsibilities.
—
Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
Could my kids handle the responsibility?
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 10 Feb. 2026
Board President Anne Egan also announced that interim Superintendent Jennifer Perry will launch an external audit to review the district’s organizational systems, including internal controls and fiscal responsibilities.
—Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 10 Feb. 2026
The board last refined the roles and responsibilities of the Art Jury in 2021 and this new document adds more specific instructions in 11 areas, according to board President David Gamboa.
—Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for responsibility
Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
Could my kids handle the responsibility?
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 10 Feb. 2026
Board President Anne Egan also announced that interim Superintendent Jennifer Perry will launch an external audit to review the district’s organizational systems, including internal controls and fiscal responsibilities.
—Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 10 Feb. 2026
The board last refined the roles and responsibilities of the Art Jury in 2021 and this new document adds more specific instructions in 11 areas, according to board President David Gamboa.
—Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for responsibility
Recent Examples of Synonyms for responsibility
Noun
-
The blame game for what’s behind the beef price surge has pressured the White House to respond.—
Enda Curran,
Fortune,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Navarro sought to pin the blame for soaring costs on former President Joe Biden, who left office over a year ago.—
Garrett Downs,
CNBC,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But when a mysterious stranger begins blackmailing Neve, she is forced to compromise every legal, moral and ethical obligation to gain an acquittal — or else risk her dark secrets being exposed.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
13 Feb. 2026
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Earlier this month, Parisian officials conducted a search of facilities connected to Elon Musk’s X as part of an investigation into regulatory obligations.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Tunnels are also not truly watertight, requiring drainage measures like sump pumps and creating maintenance and reliability issues, the group advised.—
Skyler Swisher,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Feb. 2026
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And right now, California’s energy transition is failing the very people it’s supposed to help — working- and middle-class families — because it is being driven more by mandates and hope than by realism, reliability, and affordability.—
Suzette Valladares,
Oc Register,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
First Amendment experts question whether such dismissals violate free speech protections for public employees’ off-duty commentary.—
Jaweed Kaleem,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
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The dead included Hussein Hassan Hussein al-Semieri, a paramedic who was on duty at the time, said the hospital.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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CultureCon offers free scholarship tickets to students with financial needs and also partners with colleges to offer free admission.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
14 Feb. 2026
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There’s been constant friction, thanks in part to political pressure and the clout of developers, and one of the many future threats to the core mission is the need for more housing throughout the state.—
Steve Lopez,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The study did not take student debt into account, which is a significant burden on many residents.—
Sasha Allen,
Hartford Courant,
15 Feb. 2026
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Property taxes, in particular, can be a heavy burden.—
Joe Dymek,
Baltimore Sun,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Demonstrating that government can take care of the basics while accomplishing big things, which requires following through on our commitment to invest in critical needs like water, connectivity, and healthcare.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
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My education journey, shaped by segregation and opportunity has deeply influenced my commitment to equity, access and lifelong learning.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Responsibility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/responsibility. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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