culpability 1 of 2

as in blame
responsibility for wrongdoing or failure cannot find culpability where there is neither knowledge that a crime has been committed nor evidence of intent to commit a crime

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

culpable

2 of 2

adjective

Synonym Chooser

How is the word culpable different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of culpable are blamable, blameworthy, and guilty. While all these words mean "deserving reproach or punishment," culpable is weaker than guilty and is likely to connote malfeasance or errors of ignorance, omission, or negligence.

culpable neglect

How are the words blameworthy and blamable related as synonyms of culpable?

Both blameworthy and blamable apply to any degree of reprehensibility.

conduct adjudged blameworthy
an accident for which no one is blamable

When could guilty be used to replace culpable?

While in some cases nearly identical to culpable, guilty implies responsibility for or consciousness of crime, sin, or, at the least, grave error or misdoing.

guilty of a breach of etiquette

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 culpability
Noun
The detail and culpability are less important than the consequences. Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025 Agriculture producers – who use about 94% of the water pulled from the Aquifer – have some culpability in the problem, Peterson said. Daniel Desrochers, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
After a more than monthlong trial in the state bar court, in a March 27, 2024, ruling Bar Judge Yvette Roland found Eastman culpable on 10 of the 11 state bar charges and recommended his disbarment. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025 Fauci, who was the longtime director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, pushed back on claims that the National Institutes of Health was culpable for research at the Wuhan lab in China. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 20 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for culpability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for culpability
Noun
  • Ever since the party managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in last year’s presidential race, Democratic leaders and key influencers have reverted to the circular firing squads of blame to which losing campaigns inevitably return.
    Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025
  • What To Know Kudlow spoke on his Fox Business show Kudlow about the poor economic projections for February, placing the blame on President Joe Biden's administration for high costs and low job prospects.
    Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • After a six-month trial in 1970, Manson, Atkins, Krenwinkel and Van Houten were found guilty of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder, per Helter Skelter.
    Emily Krauser, People.com, 8 Mar. 2025
  • The turning point came in December 2023 when Majors was found guilty of assaulting Jabbari causing Marvel to drop him on the same day.
    Caroline Reid, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Even those who retain their jobs may deal with survivor’s guilt or anxiety over future job cuts.
    Jack Kelly, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Casey Anthony’s guilt is essentially settled fact among true crime fans.
    Aja Romano, Vox, 4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Alternatively, if the foundation knew of warning signs, or should have detected warning signs, Learfield might be less blameworthy.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 3 Sep. 2019
  • But Miss Manners acknowledges that there is also the less blameworthy impulse to offer comfort — not just sympathy — when there is no real comfort to be offered.
    Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Culpability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/culpability. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

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