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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 Risk Factors Atherosclerosis is responsible for the vast majority of cases of renal artery stenosis. Anju Goel, Verywell Health, 1 Apr. 2025 This year’s legislation, however, also targets a new kind of buzz — beverages that include THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, the primary psychoactive component in cannabis that’s responsible for getting users high. Dara Kam, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2025 As a rule, the person making the gift (not the recipient) is responsible for any applicable federal gift taxes. Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025 However, her response states that because legislative bodies are not responsible for enforcing laws, she is blocked from speaking to lawmakers. Clare Duffy, CNN, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for responsible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for responsible
Adjective
  • The developer also will be liable for $2 million in attorney’s fees incurred by the state and environmental groups.
    Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Urlacher was a suspect in the 1976 disappearance of a 14-year-old girl from a concert in Huntley and, while never charged, he was found liable in a civil trial for the teen’s death in 1981 and ordered to pay her family $5.15 million, according to a wire service report at the time.
    Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • What was long known to be fixed and reliable is now fluid and frightening.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Coming in a full range of sizes from 5 to 12 (including half sizes), these cushy hiking shoes boast reliable lugs at the outsoles for vital grip on a wide range of terrain, from slick rocks to wet leaves.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Exploring, discussing and evaluating what would keep our residents safe is an integral part of being a legislator.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2025
  • This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, FOXNews.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • When each channel is evaluated independently, the true value of awareness campaigns becomes invisible.
    Cody Greco, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Voters are not famous for their patience or, as Joe Biden could explain, their fondness for higher prices, something that’s true even if this is a one-off adjustment.
    The Editors, National Review, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • On the bright side, healthy lifestyle choices, such as a good diet and regular exercise, offer even greater heart health protection for women.
    Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 2 Apr. 2025
  • God bless iconic events for granting my fourth (and perhaps best) film a religious re-release!
    Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In this case, there is Alba’s magnetic allure and the other two’s steady relationships.
    Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2025
  • The state’s unemployment rate, based on a separate household survey, held steady at 4.7%, leaving Colorado uncomfortably behind the 4.1% U.S. rate.
    Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 29 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Responsible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/responsible. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on responsible

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