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as in responsible
being the one who must meet an obligation or suffer the consequences for failing to do so the owner of a pet is liable for any damage that that pet might do

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective liable contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of liable are exposed, open, prone, sensitive, subject, and susceptible. While all these words mean "being by nature or through circumstances likely to experience something adverse," liable implies a possibility or probability of incurring something because of position, nature, or particular situation.

liable to get lost

When is it sensible to use exposed instead of liable?

The words exposed and liable are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exposed suggests lack of protection or powers of resistance against something actually present or threatening.

exposed to infection

In what contexts can open take the place of liable?

While the synonyms open and liable are close in meaning, open stresses a lack of barriers preventing incurrence.

a claim open to question

When might prone be a better fit than liable?

The meanings of prone and liable largely overlap; however, prone stresses natural tendency or propensity to incur something.

prone to delay

When would sensitive be a good substitute for liable?

While in some cases nearly identical to liable, sensitive implies a readiness to respond to or be influenced by forces or stimuli.

unduly sensitive to criticism

When is subject a more appropriate choice than liable?

In some situations, the words subject and liable are roughly equivalent. However, subject implies an openness for any reason to something that must be suffered or undergone.

all reports are subject to review

When could susceptible be used to replace liable?

The synonyms susceptible and liable are sometimes interchangeable, but susceptible implies conditions existing in one's nature or individual constitution that make incurrence probable.

very susceptible to flattery

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of liable The government cannot be held liable for certain intentional torts, meaning the lawsuits could be dismissed altogether. Kaelan Deese, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Mar. 2025 Other states allow creditors, at least in some cases, to claim a share of the property when only one joint owner is liable for the debt. Bob Carlson, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025 With his multifarious commitments, Anderson has a schedule that is constantly subject to revision, and meetings with him are liable to be converted from one thing into another with next to no notice. Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2025 She was found liable, in part, for the fatal shooting of Hutchins and was acquitted of a separate charge of tampering with evidence. Skyler Caruso, People.com, 11 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for liable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for liable
Adjective
  • The monounsaturated fat makes canola less susceptible to oxidation, Kane adds.
    Matt Fuchs, TIME, 21 Mar. 2025
  • People with blue or light-colored eyes are more susceptible to photophobia than people with brown or dark-colored eyes.
    Laura Schober, Health, 20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • However, her response states that because legislative bodies are not responsible for enforcing laws, she is blocked from speaking to lawmakers.
    Clare Duffy, CNN, 20 Mar. 2025
  • As a rule, the person making the gift (not the recipient) is responsible for any applicable federal gift taxes.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Some of the turmoil could have been avoided with early-warning systems, though in parts of the world most vulnerable to climate impacts, there’s very little advance notice of disaster.
    Hilary Whiteman, CNN, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Ensuring the youngest and most vulnerable individuals have access to safe and nutritionally adequate formula products is a top priority for the FDA.
    Betty Lin-Fisher, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Age is also a risk factor — older adults may already have issues with sleep due to existing health conditions, medications and chronic pain, and so may be especially sensitive to additional stress.
    Sandee LaMotte, CNN, 19 Mar. 2025
  • However, how much caffeine is tolerable can vary from person to person, and some people may be more sensitive to caffeine than others.
    Emily Brown, MPH, Verywell Health, 19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Yes, but: There are ways to remain exposed, if somewhat more indirectly.
    Brady Dale, Axios, 7 Mar. 2025
  • By placing the host in an exposed, elevated position, the fungus maximizes its chances of dispersing spores effectively.
    Scott Travers, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Central Myanmar, where large plates of the Earth’s crust are in motion, is prone to powerful earthquakes.
    Lynsey Chutel, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • What started out as foam pads sewn into the shape of a mattress made sense 30 years ago, when even the largest yachts were much smaller and prone to the occasional wave over the side.
    Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 27 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Liable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/liable. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

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