Synonyms of culpable

culpable

adjective

ˈkəl-pə-bəl 

as in guilty

deserving reproach or blame

are you any less culpable for murder if you acted in the heat of passion?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• guilty
• blameworthy
• punishable
• reckless
• reprehensible
• blamable
• bad
• censurable
• at fault
• criminal
• reproachable
• improper
• foolish
• wrongful
• sinful
• irresponsible
• illegal
• wicked
• unlawful
• indictable
• illicit
• chargeable
• impeachable
• illegitimate
• disciplinable
• amerciable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• blameless
• perfect
• faultless
• impeccable
• pure
• flawless
• irreproachable
• innocent
• guiltless

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of culpable are blamable, blameworthy, and guilty. While all these words mean "deserving reproach or punishment," culpable is weaker than guilty and is likely to connote malfeasance or errors of ignorance, omission, or negligence.

culpable neglect

How are the words blameworthy and blamable related as synonyms of culpable?

Both blameworthy and blamable apply to any degree of reprehensibility.

conduct adjudged blameworthy

an accident for which no one is blamable

When could guilty be used to replace culpable?

While in some cases nearly identical to culpable, guilty implies responsibility for or consciousness of crime, sin, or, at the least, grave error or misdoing.

guilty of a breach of etiquette

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of culpable

The industry may be culpable for direct indicators of global warming, but not these indirect killer extremes. —Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024

Social apps like TikTok and Instagram are certainly culpable, but a lack of parental mindfulness, understanding and intervention are also to blame. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 27 Sep. 2024

Prosecutors in Italy have launched a probe into the shipwreck and multiple counts of culpable homicide, which are equivalent to manslaughter charges. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 21 Sep. 2024

And every team is culpable because players will eat each other alive for a roster spot. —Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2024