ACCOUNTABLE Synonyms: 13 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

accountable

adjective

ə-ˈkau̇n-tə-bəl

Definition of accountable

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

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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

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 accountable The agency's Civil Rights Data Collection is intended to do just that — help keep schools accountable. — Jonaki Mehta, NPR, 2 July 2026 Duffy said the move was intended to hold states accountable for ensuring only qualified and properly vetted drivers were allowed behind the wheel of commercial trucks. — Elaine Mallon , James Cirrone , Bill Melugin, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026 For the first time, Xbox is also installing a chief operating officer, Helen Chiang, who will be accountable for profits and losses across its content, hardware, platform, and services businesses. — Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 6 July 2026 In March, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung warned on X that oil refiners and corporations engaged in price-fixing would be held accountable, vowing to deploy all lawful measures against unethical business practices. — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for accountable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for accountable

Adjective

Othram worked with Fort Worth police to identify McCurley as the man responsible.

— Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
The Federal Aviation Administration regulates the airspace, and drone owners are responsible for knowing and abiding by those restrictions.

— Kelly O'Donnell, NBC news, 5 July 2026

Definition of responsible

Adjective

The Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal in the case, seeking to determine whether federal law bars states from holding a company liable for failing to include a warning that the EPA reviewed and chose not to require.

— Sarah J. Morath, The Conversation, 2 July 2026
My records show that pike are liable to begin a feeding spree anytime during the day.

— Jack G. Mell, Outdoor Life, 2 July 2026

Definition of liable

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accountability

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accounted

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“Accountable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accountable. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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