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

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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

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of accountable There’s a Supreme Court that’s independent, but accountable. —

Ted Johnson, Deadline, 16 Jan. 2025 Sing, the veteran arson investigator, said in some cases there simply isn’t sufficient evidence to determine a cause or hold someone accountable. —

Eric Levenson, CNN, 15 Jan. 2025 The International Criminal Court must continue its efforts to hold those responsible for these atrocities, including Benjamin Netanyahu, accountable for their actions. —

Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 15 Jan. 2025 These apps are also accountable to state regulators who can interrogate casino operators for bad practices. —

Christopher Gerlacher, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for accountable