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

The flip side of that stereotype is, however, false: Private businesses are not better at holding poor performers accountable. —James L. Perry, The Conversation, 21 Feb. 2025

Much of the public discussion in recent years around holding Chicago cops accountable has centered on civilian agencies that probe alleged police misconduct. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2025

Third, his administration must develop real capacity for governance, moving beyond providing basic services to creating accountable institutions that show an investment in citizens, not merely in withstanding the next rebellion. —Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025

For the welfare of all Americans, the United States should take a proactive stance to hold the world’s greatest polluters accountable and level the playing field for American businesses. —Toby Overdorf, Sun Sentinel, 18 Feb. 2025