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 next

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

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of accountable This way, governments are accountable to the citizens, but not to the extent that everyday business is obstructed. —

David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024 Others had been involved, too, the F.B.I. found, but no one was ever held accountable. —

Paige Williams, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024 Measure Data for Accountability Holding ourselves accountable for DEI progress requires more than good intentions. —

Julie Kratz, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024 Vucevic added that those responsible for the collapse would be held accountable. —

Sophie Tanno, CNN, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for accountable