culpability 1 of 2

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

culpable

2 of 2

adjective

Synonym Chooser

How is the word culpable different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of culpable are blamable, blameworthy, and guilty. While all these words mean "deserving reproach or punishment," culpable is weaker than guilty and is likely to connote malfeasance or errors of ignorance, omission, or negligence.

culpable neglect

How are the words blameworthy and blamable related as synonyms of culpable?

Both blameworthy and blamable apply to any degree of reprehensibility.

conduct adjudged blameworthy
an accident for which no one is blamable

When could guilty be used to replace culpable?

While in some cases nearly identical to culpable, guilty implies responsibility for or consciousness of crime, sin, or, at the least, grave error or misdoing.

guilty of a breach of etiquette

Examples 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
Noun
Chasing after a simpler trail of culpability keeps us circling back, decade after decade, to figure out how the music industry that enabled R. Kelly, a church of the almighty dollar where the hit is holy, has yielded yet another golden-eared terror. Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2024 Poppe has been focused on turning around the company’s operations, safety record, and culture, after PG&E’s culpability in the 2018 Camp wildfire put the utility into bankruptcy. Diane Brady, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2024
Adjective
The industry may be culpable for direct indicators of global warming, but not these indirect killer extremes. Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024 Social apps like TikTok and Instagram are certainly culpable, but a lack of parental mindfulness, understanding and intervention are also to blame. Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 27 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for culpability 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for culpability
Noun
  • This inward blame has been a treasure for the rich and powerful, who have had to do less for their poor, publicly and privately, than any other ruling class since, say Napoleonic times.
    Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
  • At his Monday media session, the Texans coach placed the blame for linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair’s vicious forearm to the head of a defenseless Trevor Lawrence on the Jacksonville QB.
    Bob Raissman, New York Daily News, 7 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Trump pleaded not guilty to every charge against him.
    Jenny Goldsberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 8 Dec. 2024
  • Terry Martin was later indicted and pleaded guilty to the theft.
    Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 7 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Helping children ‘get it right’ moves away from shame and guilt and toward feelings of positive self-worth and capability.
    Kelsey Mora, Contributor, CNBC, 17 Dec. 2024
  • By one hand, he is bound to himself, to his impiety, his recklessness, his envy and pride, his guilt and spite.
    Merve Emre, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • But even more blameworthy has been the president’s assault on U.S. institutions, which began long before the novel coronavirus appeared and will be felt long after it is gone.
    Daron Acemoglu, Foreign Affairs, 23 Mar. 2020
  • His political support group consists mainly of sycophants who seek status by riding his popular coattails, while the erstwhile staff of his late presidential office have either now become subjects for criminal prosecution or — if not blameworthy — are adamantly urging against his return.
    Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 3 May 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near culpability

Cite this Entry

“Culpability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/culpability. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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