Synonyms of accountable

accountable

adjective

ə-ˈkau̇n-tə-bəl 

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

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• irresponsible
• unaccountable
• exempt
• immune
• nonaccountable

Synonym Chooser

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

Recent Examples of accountable

Others are skeptical that the Trump administration's actions will do much to hold contractors accountable for violating equal employment opportunity laws. —Andrea Hsu, NPR, 27 Mar. 2025

Hold yourself and others accountable for ensuring that AI serves humanity's best interests and contributes to a more just and fulfilling world. —Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025

The Trump administration will enforce the President’s executive authority and ensure his agencies remain accountable to the American people. —Savannah Kuchar, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2025

This move undercuts a system that has long given Americans confidence in vaccine safety and efficacy, removing the very forums where seasoned scientists evaluate global surveillance data, manufacturing constraints and population needs in an open, accountable manner. —Richard Hughes Iv, Baltimore Sun, 19 Mar. 2025