responsible

adjective

ri-ˈspän(t)-sə-bəl How to pronounce responsible (audio)
Definition of responsiblenext
1
as in liable
being the one who must meet an obligation or suffer the consequences for failing to do so the state laws hold pet owners responsible for any damage or injury done by improperly restrained animals

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in reliable
worthy of one's trust our regular babysitter is very responsible

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 June 5, the IndieWire Honors Spring 2025 ceremony will celebrate the creators and stars responsible for some of the most impressive and engaging work of this TV season. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 30 May 2025 The fighters’ national federations will be responsible for administering the tests and providing the results to World Boxing. —Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 30 May 2025 Continuing the county’s commitment to agricultural land preservation, supporting a rural lifestyle, and managing growth in responsible ways. —Sherry Greenfield, Baltimore Sun, 30 May 2025 These allegedly evil corporations are not remotely responsible for what economists call the overwhelming driver of poverty in California: the extreme cost of housing. —U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for responsible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for responsible
  1. liable
  2. reliable
  3. safe
  4. true
  5. good
  6. steady
Adjective
  • However, the absence of formal requirements means that the owner of the sole proprietorship can be personally liable for the business’s debts and obligations, including tax bills and legal awards.
    — Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
  • The jury found the county, Spitzer and Nelson liable for $3 million in damages, including $1.5 million for past emotional distress.
    — Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
Definition of liable
Adjective
  • Embrace tools that highlight alternate components that match form, fit and function, and offer reliable alternatives based on factors like cost, inventory, country of origin and lifecycle status.
    — Steve Flagg, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
  • Its toll is seen as generally reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts, though Israel has challenged its numbers.
    — Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2025
Definition of reliable
Adjective
  • Here are recommendations for maintaining safety during a thunderstorm: To minimize risk of being struck by lightning, when going outside, have a plan to get to a safer place.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 7 June 2025
  • Be mindful of which foods and drinks are safe to have when traveling internationally.
    — Janelle McSwiggin, Health, 6 June 2025
Definition of safe
Adjective
  • The formula for ‘true tackles’ is slightly more long-winded: tackles + challenges lost + fouls committed.
    — Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 28 May 2025
  • This offseason is the first true break for Steph and Ayesha since 2023.
    — Natasha Dye, People.com, 27 May 2025
Definition of true
Adjective
  • The win was the fifth in a row for Detroit and 20th in its last 28 games, and raised its division-leading record to 35-21, good for a .655 winning percentage.
    — Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 June 2025
  • Newcomer Davante Adams, 32, and Puka Nacua, 25, will complement one another, giving the Rams their best veteran tandem at receiver since Cooper Kupp and Odell Beckham Jr. fueled the Super Bowl-winning offense.
    — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2025
Definition of good
Adjective
  • Those heartbreaking moments led to the slow and steady decline that started in the 2000s.
    — Mark Morales, CNN Money, 29 May 2025
  • Keeping your magnesium intake steady through diet and supplements can help offset caffeine's impact.
    — Health, Health, 28 May 2025
Definition of steady

Browse Nearby Words

responsibility
responsible
responsibleness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on responsible

Nglish: Translation of responsible for Spanish Speakers

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!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

'Bring' vs. 'Take'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

10 Hella Good U.S. Regionalisms

Some Data About 'Datum'

The Clinical History of 'Moron,' 'Idiot,' and 'Imbecile'
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All