Try This Instead

For
Try This
a responsible adult
a dependable adult
a reliable adult
a trustworthy adult
an accountable adult
responsible decisions
careful decisions
mature decisions
appropriate decisions
thoughtful decisions
proactive decisions
a responsible government
a capable government
a competent government
a vigilant government
a prudent government
a resourceful government
responsible behavior
reliable behavior
righteous behavior
dependable behavior
mature behavior
accountable behavior

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 On May 12, there will be a full moon in Scorpio, shaking up your responsible sixth house of health, work and day-to-day affairs. Staff Author, People.com, 1 May 2025 Where individuals were once responsible for handling large datasets, processing clinical documents, contracts and updating recordkeeping to keep abreast of new regulations, AI can now largely take over those routine tasks and spot anomalies, making healthcare providers more compliant. Tamsin Gable, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025 Consequently, the current consensus is that the sun is indeed responsible for these massive upticks in isotopes. Phil Plait, Scientific American, 1 May 2025 But human activity is responsible for about 90% of all wildfires in the nation. Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for responsible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for responsible
Adjective
  • The state would also not be liable if its financial structure collapsed.
    Dan Walters, Mercury News, 1 May 2025
  • Strong wind is liable to topple a cage laden with a heavy tomato plant.
    Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • Men’s Pathfinder Rechargeable LED Cap $45 $35 at L.L. Bean Stay prepared on the trail with this rugged lighted ball cap, built for hikers and campers who need reliable, hands-free lighting.
    Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Over the next decade his signature kung-fu comedy style blending bold stunts and easy-going charisma became a reliable box-office draw for Hong Kong’s now legendary Golden Harvest studio.
    Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Nothing is guaranteed, but entering the league with a (relatively) safe job is much better than fighting for a place at the bottom of the roster.
    Joe Kozlowski, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
  • However, staying safe requires a combination of tools and personal vigilance.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • Strong lines that team up to form geometric designs, metallic accents, luxe materials like marble and velvet, and eye-catching ornamentation are certainly part of the style's foundation, true.
    Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 May 2025
  • These collaborations help establish trust and credibility while ensuring that the platform remains a true reflection of local perspectives.
    Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 3 May 2025
Adjective
  • So there’s always lines that are news to me and in a good way.
    Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 5 May 2025
  • There is also a good smattering of creations from Louis Vuitton, which is the show’s lead sponsor and where Virgil Abloh served as creative director of men’s collections and was succeeded by Pharrell Williams.
    Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 5 May 2025
Adjective
  • On the campaign trail, the incumbent government has presented itself as a steady pair of hands as the initial hit to stocks broadened into fears of an impending global recession.
    Hilary Whiteman and Angus Watson, CNN Money, 3 May 2025
  • Although the latest employment numbers suggest a steady job market, government data this week showed that more Americans are filing for unemployment benefits as layoffs mount.
    Alain Sherter, CBS News, 2 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Responsible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/responsible. Accessed 13 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on responsible

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!