Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective responsible contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of responsible are accountable, amenable, answerable, and liable. While all these words mean "subject to being held to account," responsible implies holding a specific office, duty, or trust.

the bureau responsible for revenue collection

When could accountable be used to replace responsible?

The words accountable and responsible are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, accountable suggests imminence of retribution for unfulfilled trust or violated obligation.

elected officials are accountable to the voters

How do amenable and liable relate to one another, in the sense of responsible?

Both amenable and liable stress the fact of subjection to review, censure, or control by a designated authority under certain conditions.

laws are amenable to judicial review
not liable for the debts of the former spouse

When is it sensible to use answerable instead of responsible?

The synonyms answerable and responsible are sometimes interchangeable, but answerable suggests a relation between one having a moral or legal obligation and a court or other authority charged with oversight of its observance.

an intelligence agency answerable to Congress

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 responsible The 12 were sentenced over the last year to jail or prison in what the Michigan Attorney General's Office dubbed a large-scale criminal organization responsible for the thefts of hundreds of vehicles throughout six counties in the region and state. Christina Hall, Freep.com, 5 Sep. 2025 That attention to detail — the belief that no detail is insignificant — is responsible for the career of the most famous man in football. Kansas City Star, 5 Sep. 2025 It's supplied in a compact 30-ml syringe and can be quickly applied in the field before a patient bleeds out, a risk responsible for more than 35% of all prehospital deaths. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025 Karp made these comments the day before the Bureau of Labor Statistics released its August jobs report, which showcased a climbing unemployment rate and stagnating hiring figures, reigniting fears of whether AI is at all responsible for the broader slowdown. Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for responsible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for responsible
Adjective
  • The claim names Milwaukee County, the county's Circuit Court, and the Sheriff's Office as being liable for injuries and damages.
    Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • However, the jury found Google liable for two of three privacy violation claims.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Throughout Amorim’s tenure, United’s wide combinations have been present, but other tactical problems, poor execution and the lack of a reliable goalscorer have impacted their productivity.
    Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Those events underscored the need for more reliable smoke management tools.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Synthetic fabrics like microfiber, nylon, polyester, acrylic, and performance fabrics are all safe for at-home treatment.
    Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2025
  • This hair tool bag from Famoplay keeps straighteners, curling irons, and blowout brushes safe, organized, and away from the rest of your suitcase’s contents.
    Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Redshirt junior Colton Boomer and true freshman Canaan Moore ach missed a field goal — Boomer from 46 yards and Moore from 24.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Red maple Red maple stays true to its name.
    Chris McKeown, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • All of the cats who tested this litter adjusted to it quickly and easily — some even had a little play date in their box, kicking and scratching, which is a good sign!
    Kayla Blanton, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Leisure’s best new hotels of 2021, Wander the Resort offers 10 luxurious glass-and-timber cabins along the quiet northern shores of West Lake.
    Alexandra Emanuelli, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Ether prices have been languishing lately, failing to mount a notable comeback after peaking late last month and then suffering a steady decline.
    Charles Lloyd Bovaird II, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • One surged; the other held fairly steady.
    Susan Tompor, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Responsible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/responsible. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on responsible

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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