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
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 responsibility
That allowed companies to get out of the pension business, but gave employees more responsibility over their retirement funds.
—
David Morgan, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2025
Recognize Each Team Member May Need Different Support While some team members may appear unfazed when things aren’t going right, others might quietly struggle with serious concerns, like financial pressures, family responsibilities, or anxiety about job security.
—Kara Dennison, Sphr, Cprw, Ec, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
There is a certain responsibility to ensure every detail is taken care of.
—J.m. Banks, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2025
This Resolution of Inquiry will allow Congress to review all the protocol breaches in order to put a stop to the slipshod and unprofessional handling of our national security and force protection responsibilities.
—Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for responsibility
David Morgan, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2025
Recognize Each Team Member May Need Different Support While some team members may appear unfazed when things aren’t going right, others might quietly struggle with serious concerns, like financial pressures, family responsibilities, or anxiety about job security.
—Kara Dennison, Sphr, Cprw, Ec, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
There is a certain responsibility to ensure every detail is taken care of.
—J.m. Banks, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2025
This Resolution of Inquiry will allow Congress to review all the protocol breaches in order to put a stop to the slipshod and unprofessional handling of our national security and force protection responsibilities.
—Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for responsibility
Recent Examples of Synonyms for responsibility
Noun
-
The conversation should be about building better connections and addressing the real issues that matter to Latino communities, rather than unfairly assigning blame.—
Jesse Mejia,
Hartford Courant,
11 Apr. 2025
-
In corporate leaders’ minds, the blame rests not only on Trump but also Navarro and Lutnick.—
Time,
Time,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Judge Kevin Brazile refused to grant CBS an injunction, finding that Sony is likely to prevail on its claim that CBS has failed to live up to its contractual obligations.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Even very large spending cuts will not make a meaningful dent in those existing interest obligations in a single year.—
Alicia Parlapiano,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Customer experience also helps with increasing trust and reliability.—
Janita Pannu,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
-
How utilities choose which power source to invest in depends in large part on two key aspects: price and reliability.—
Erin Baker,
The Conversation,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
What public programs, and civic duties and privileges, are different groups eligible for? Citizen Green-card holder Long-term visa Short-term visa No valid visa Are you allowed to vote, or run for office, in federal and state elections?—
Albert Sun,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Homebuilders warn that tariffs and other charges (including the potential doubling of existing duties on Canadian lumber) on softwood lumber and other materials could further exacerbate the housing affordability crisis.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
But focusing on meeting your essential needs first will lay the foundation for eventually finding the physical ability to do more. 2.—
Kathleen Ferraro,
SELF,
15 Apr. 2025
-
Not Effectively Communicating New Designs Even when organizations succeed in designing spaces that reflect modern needs, many fail to communicate how those spaces should be used.—
Ryan Anderson,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
And, if some of our fellow-citizens basically bring actors to power who are clearly no longer on board with freedom and equality for all, then the burden is on them to restore our trust.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2025
-
As a result, companies are broadly shifting more of the risk burden onto homeowners.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Recognitions such as being named one of Fort Worth’s Top 500 Most Influential People and receiving awards like Entrepreneur of Excellence and Community Advocate of the Year highlight my commitment to serving our city.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Apr. 2025
-
Notwithstanding recent moments of tension around Israel, the Catholic Church has affirmed time and time again its commitment to fighting antisemitism and appreciating Judaism as a sibling tradition.—
Joshua Stanton,
New York Daily News,
20 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Responsibility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/responsibility. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share