ACCOUNTABLE Synonyms: 13 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'accountable' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of accountable are amenable , answerable , liable , and responsible . While all these words mean "subject to being held to account," accountable suggests imminence of retribution for unfulfilled trust or violated obligation. // elected officials are accountable to the voters

Q: How do 'amenable' and 'liable' relate to one another, in the sense of 'accountable'?

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

Q: When is 'answerable' a more appropriate choice than 'accountable'?

While in some cases nearly identical to accountable , 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

Q: When would 'responsible' be a good substitute for 'accountable'?

The words responsible and accountable can be used in similar contexts, but responsible implies holding a specific office, duty, or trust. // the bureau responsible for revenue collection

accountable

adjective

ə-ˈkau̇n-tə-bəl

Definition of accountable next

as in responsible

being the one who must meet an obligation or suffer the consequences for failing to do so the owner was held accountable for his dog's biting of the child

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the adjective accountable contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of accountable are amenable, answerable, liable, and responsible. While all these words mean "subject to being held to account," 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 accountable?

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 answerable a more appropriate choice than accountable?

While in some cases nearly identical to accountable, 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

When would responsible be a good substitute for accountable?

The words responsible and accountable can be used in similar contexts, but responsible implies holding a specific office, duty, or trust.

the bureau responsible for revenue collection

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 accountable Today, global South nations continue to turn to the UN to achieve climate justice, uphold international law, and hold private corporations accountable for violating labor and environmental laws. —

Michael Brenes, Foreign Affairs, 28 Jan. 2025 But the effort to hold Samsung accountable has been unsuccessful. —

Alana Semuels, TIME, 28 Jan. 2025 Following the council’s approval, attorney Danielle Beem said the plaintiffs had succeeded in holding the city accountable. —

Elliott Wenzler, The Denver Post, 27 Jan. 2025 That way, taxpayers and other stakeholders can hold public schools accountable for being good stewards of public resources. —

Aaron Garth Smith, Orange County Register, 25 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for accountable