Synonym Chooser

How is the word blamable different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of blamable are blameworthy, culpable, and guilty. While all these words mean "deserving reproach or punishment," blameworthy and blamable apply to any degree of reprehensibility.

conduct adjudged blameworthy
an accident for which no one is blamable

When could culpable be used to replace blamable?

While the synonyms culpable and blamable are close in meaning, culpable is weaker than guilty and is likely to connote malfeasance or errors of ignorance, omission, or negligence.

culpable neglect

When would guilty be a good substitute for blamable?

The words guilty and blamable are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, guilty implies responsibility for or consciousness of crime, sin, or, at the least, grave error or misdoing.

guilty of a breach of etiquette

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for blamable
Adjective
  • Now 30, Kohberger in July pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary in exchange for prosecutors dropping pursuit of the death penalty.
    Darin Oswald, Idaho Statesman, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Ritter; the clinic operator, Iris Winchester, and a recruiter, Joyce Robinson, pleaded guilty in plea agreements and were sentenced to various lesser amounts of time in prison earlier this year, according to prosecutors and court records.
    Christina Hall, Freep.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • His Stoic Challenge framework invites you to see a setback not as something terrible, blameworthy or unfair but instead as a test of your ingenuity and resilience.
    Hanna Hart, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
  • But Miss Manners acknowledges that there is also the less blameworthy impulse to offer comfort — not just sympathy — when there is no real comfort to be offered.
    Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Chicago's lawsuit says Glock has sold its firearms, despite knowing they can be easily converted, and Glock and stores like Eagles Sports Range are culpable for the spread of modified handguns.
    David Clarey, jsonline.com, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Even well into the ’80s and ’90s, mothers were made to feel culpable in some way for their children being diagnosed.
    Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Under law, the act is punishable by up to five years of imprisonment and a fine of up to 50 million won ($35,860), and police are obligated to investigate any case reported.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025
  • The felony charge of aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft is punishable by a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Repressed and lingering scars from childhood can certainly cause pain for entire communities and be a catalyst for terrible and reprehensible behaviors.
    Erin Qualey, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Free speech scholars maintain the most vile and reprehensible speech, including that which celebrates someone's death, is legally protected — not from the consequences meted by private employers, but from government suppression.
    Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In addition to the vehicular homicide charge, Inderjit Singh is facing three counts of reckless endangerment and not having a driver's license.
    Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Salmo now faces a slate of charges, including second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct, riot, and obstructing and hindering a police officer.
    Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2025
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Blamable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blamable. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.

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