CULPABILITY Synonyms: 23 Similar and Opposite Words

culpability

noun

ˌkəl-pə-ˈbi-lə-tē

Definition of culpability

as in blame

responsibility for wrongdoing or failure cannot find culpability where there is neither knowledge that a crime has been committed nor evidence of intent to commit a crime

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 culpability The trial was a battle between those who believe the law should take a person’s mental illness into account when determining culpability, and those who don’t. — Wendy Murphy, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2026 The case has also sparked deep public divisions over her culpability and the issues around maternal mental health after childbirth. — Leah Willingham, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026 Based upon their replies, occupying Allied officials ranked their culpability, then tried the worst offenders — most famously in the Nuremberg trials, but also in numerous local tribunals. — Fern Schumer Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026 But the legal system’s binary standard—sane and guilty, or insane and not—fits imperfectly with human intuitions about culpability in tragedies like the Clancys’. — Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for culpability

Recent Examples of Synonyms for culpability

Noun

Children’s Mercy didn’t explicitly lay the blame on a failure to expand Medicaid or the expiration of premium tax credits in the One Big Beautiful Bill.

— Jack Harvel October 25, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2026
He has been sacked 17 times in six games, but the blame really should be on the coach for having a poor game plan.

— David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of blame

Noun

But he was plagued by guilt over his ancestor’s role in the trials, and felt compelled to explore themes of human character, greed, and social decay through his work.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
As Fielder’s initially firm belief in Holmes’ guilt and manipulative powers appears to waver, Seyfried wonders if Fielder is in some way falling for her.

— Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of guilt

Browse Nearby Words

culminations

culpability

culpable

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Culpability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/culpability. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of culpability

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes