ANSWERABILITY Synonyms: 46 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'answerable' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of answerable are accountable , amenable , liable , and responsible . While all these words mean "subject to being held to account," 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: Where would 'accountable' be a reasonable alternative to 'answerable'?

The synonyms accountable and answerable are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 'answerable'?

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 can 'responsible' be used instead of 'answerable'?

The meanings of responsible and answerable largely overlap; however, responsible implies holding a specific office, duty, or trust. // the bureau responsible for revenue collection

answerability 1 of 2

noun

Definition of answerability next

as in accountability

willingness or obligation to explain one's actions or to admit being the cause of a problem Without any answerability to the people, the despot's actions were motivated by a desire for personal enrichment.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

unaccountability

answerable

2 of 2

adjective

ˈan(t)-s(ə-)rə-bəl

as in responsible

being the one who must meet an obligation or suffer the consequences for failing to do so you are answerable for your own conduct at all times

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in resolvable

capable of having the reason for or cause of determined they say this equation is not answerable

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective answerable contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of answerable are accountable, amenable, liable, and responsible. While all these words mean "subject to being held to account," 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

Where would accountable be a reasonable alternative to answerable?

The synonyms accountable and answerable are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 answerable?

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 can responsible be used instead of answerable?

The meanings of responsible and answerable largely overlap; however, 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 answerability

Adjective

The question about the existence (or not) of extraterrestrial life in the Milky Way may therefore be answerable only via an aggressive astronomical search for life itself. —

Mario Livio, Scientific American, 16 Sep. 2024 Immaturity now struts in the public sphere, answerable to no one. —

Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2024 Protesters demanding royal reform wanted to abolish the lese majeste law, and to ensure the king is answerable to the constitution, with protesters scrutinizing Vajiralongkorn’s immense wealth and power. —

Helen Regan, CNN, 31 Jan. 2024 That kind of decision is essentially a political decision, and the politically answerable official who heads the executive — the president — is the person ultimately responsible to the public for the results. —

Michael B. Mukasey, National Review, 9 May 2023 See all Example Sentences for answerability

Recent Examples of Synonyms for answerability

Noun

The effort to boost accountability within SBC has dragged on as Southern Baptists and survivors and advocates debate the best path forward.

— Duane W. Gang, The Tennessean, 10 Feb. 2025
My leadership will always put people first, guided by transparency, accountability, and a genuine passion for making Miramar a better place for everyone.

— Keith "Papa Keith" Walcott, Sun Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2025