Synonyms of responsible

responsible

adjective

ri-ˈspän(t)-sə-bəl 

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

• liable
• accountable
• answerable
• amenable
• indebted
• obligated
• beholden
• obliged

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• irresponsible
• unaccountable
• exempt
• immune
• nonaccountable

2

as in reliable

worthy of one's trust

our regular babysitter is very responsible

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reliable
• safe
• true
• good
• steady
• trustworthy
• dependable
• loyal
• secure
• solid
• sure
• devoted
• calculable
• tried
• trusty
• strong
• trustable
• faithful
• constant
• steadfast
• honest
• effective
• sincere
• tried-and-true
• staunch
• fast
• proven
• infallible
• valid
• confirmed
• sound
• blameless
• stanch
• telling
• unerring
• validated
• single-minded
• firm
• guiltless
• true-blue
• faultless
• impeccable
• irreproachable
• unquestionable
• authenticated
• unimpeachable
• verified
• attested
• inerrant
• bedrock

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unsafe
• uncertain
• unreliable
• untrustworthy
• false
• unfaithful
• disloyal
• treacherous
• untrue
• undependable
• traitorous
• dishonest
• faithless
• perfidious
• lying
• questionable
• fickle
• uncertain
• problematic
• deceitful
• inconstant
• doubtful
• suspect
• hazardous
• dodgy
• dubious
• untruthful
• risky
• problematical
• mendacious
• debatable
• shaky
• unsound
• shady
• disputable
• recreant
• fishy
• unconfirmed
• untried
• doubtable

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a responsible adult

a dependable adult

a reliable adult

a trustworthy adult

a conscientious 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

Examples of responsible in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The news Abbott Labs’ specialized formula is not responsible for a young baby boy developing a severe intestinal illness known as necrotizing enterocolitis, or NEC, a jury in Missouri state court found Thursday night —wrapping up a roughly five-week trial closely watched by investors. —Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 1 Nov. 2024

Data engineers are responsible for the management of data infrastructure, the delivery of large-scale data processing and the preparation of datasets for analysis. —Abdul Muqtadir Mohammed Zubair, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

Monumental is committing the remaining $285 million and is responsible for cost overruns. —Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 21 Oct. 2024

Gorman currently serves as the chair of Disney’s succession planning committee, which is responsible for the CEO search. —David Goldman, CNN, 21 Oct. 2024