LIABLE Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

liable

adjective

ˈlī-ə-bəl

Definition of liable

as in susceptible

being in a situation where one is likely to meet with harm because of his frail constitution, he's liable to diseases

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 jury found Meta liable for more than 43 million violations of the state's consumer protection laws. — ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026 The judge’s order followed a civil case in September in which jurors found Meta liable for over 43 million violations of New Mexico consumer protection laws. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2026 Recent cases in Michigan and Georgia suggest either or both parents of the teenage school shooter could be held criminally liable for the killings. — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026 The judge also found the city liable because Harris had final authority to enforce the public-participation policy during council meetings. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for liable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for liable

Adjective

Tom describes himself as uniquely susceptible to this kind of stimulation, something that Kenny, the Mount Sinai neuroscientist, says may have some credence.

— Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
The United States also has a uniquely large and diverse economy that is far less susceptible to shocks than many of its smaller peers.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of susceptible

Adjective

The fact is, the bill helps to preserve Medicaid for those who need it most, including low-income families, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
But that leaves the intricate energy system vulnerable to shocks.

— Matt Egan, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of vulnerable

Adjective

Some highly sensitive issues include relations with the European Union and Russia, but the primary focus will be dealing with corruption.

— JOVANA GEC, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
There may be time-sensitive observations or decisions that need to be made before any instruction could arrive.

— Dr. Najwa Aaraj, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of sensitive

Adjective

The end result would be a gassy surface shining as brightly as a more exposed black hole but with the Balmer break and smooth red hump of a 5,000-kelvin star, de Graaff and Naidu theorized.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 14 Sep. 2026
Morgan Stanley said Equinix and Digital Realty are less exposed because their facilities average roughly 5 to 10 megawatts, far below the gigawatt-scale AI campuses planned by hyperscalers and neocloud operators.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of exposed

Adjective

Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler lead Lakers past the Clippers in an error-prone game.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
While parts of the Southwest are rocky with little vegetation and are naturally prone to flash flooding, the recent rains made flooding everywhere more likely.

— MEAD GRUVER, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of prone

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“Liable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/liable. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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