Synonyms of responsible

responsible

adjective

ri-ˈspän(t)-sə-bəl 

1

as in liable

being the one who must meet an obligation or suffer the consequences for failing to do so

the state laws hold pet owners responsible for any damage or injury done by improperly restrained animals

Synonyms & Similar Words

• liable
• accountable
• answerable
• amenable
• indebted
• obligated
• beholden
• obliged

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• irresponsible
• unaccountable
• exempt
• immune
• nonaccountable

2

as in reliable

worthy of one's trust

our regular babysitter is very responsible

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reliable
• safe
• true
• good
• steady
• trustworthy
• dependable
• loyal
• secure
• solid
• sure
• devoted
• calculable
• tried
• trusty
• strong
• trustable
• faithful
• constant
• steadfast
• honest
• effective
• sincere
• tried-and-true
• staunch
• fast
• proven
• infallible
• valid
• confirmed
• sound
• blameless
• stanch
• telling
• unerring
• validated
• single-minded
• firm
• guiltless
• true-blue
• faultless
• impeccable
• irreproachable
• unquestionable
• authenticated
• unimpeachable
• verified
• attested
• inerrant
• bedrock

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unsafe
• uncertain
• unreliable
• untrustworthy
• false
• unfaithful
• disloyal
• treacherous
• untrue
• undependable
• traitorous
• dishonest
• faithless
• perfidious
• lying
• questionable
• fickle
• uncertain
• problematic
• deceitful
• inconstant
• doubtful
• suspect
• hazardous
• dodgy
• dubious
• untruthful
• risky
• problematical
• mendacious
• debatable
• shaky
• unsound
• shady
• disputable
• recreant
• fishy
• unconfirmed
• untried
• doubtable

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a responsible adult

a dependable adult

a reliable adult

a trustworthy adult

a conscientious adult

an accountable adult

responsible decisions

careful decisions

mature decisions

appropriate decisions

thoughtful decisions

proactive decisions

a responsible government

a capable government

a competent government

a vigilant government

a prudent government

a resourceful government

responsible behavior

reliable behavior

righteous behavior

dependable behavior

mature behavior

accountable behavior

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective responsible contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of responsible are accountable, amenable, answerable, and liable. While all these words mean "subject to being held to account," responsible implies holding a specific office, duty, or trust.

the bureau responsible for revenue collection

When could accountable be used to replace responsible?

The words accountable and responsible are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 responsible?

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 it sensible to use answerable instead of responsible?

The synonyms answerable and responsible are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of responsible

Republicans praised the budget for being fiscally responsible, while Democrats opposed the budget for falling short of fully funding schools, Medicaid and other services. —Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025

Authorities are now focused on identifying the person responsible for firing a gun from across the road, police said. —Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Feb. 2025

What To Know Engelmayer is responsible for a Saturday ruling that blocked Musk and his DOGE allies from accessing sensitive Treasury records. —Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025

Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that cows have now contracted the variant of the virus that was responsible for the recent fatal case in the United States. —Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2025