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
But on the transcendent issue of American democracy and Trump’s culpability in trying to destroy it, she’s been a rare voice of clarity and courage — and continues to be. Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 10 Dec. 2024 Despite significant doubts surrounding Robert Roberson's culpability in the 2002 death of his 2-year-old daughter, the 57-year-old is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection Thursday evening. Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 17 Oct. 2024
Adjective
Individual errors were culpable for three, arguably all four goals. Mark Critchley, The Athletic, 20 Dec. 2024 The parents were both sentenced to 10-15 years in prison last month after separate juries determined that the parents were culpable for ignoring troubling warning signs their son exhibited ahead of the shootings and buying him a gun instead of getting him help. Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 20 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for culpability 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for culpability
Noun
  • Gail: Pat Riley and Heat management share the bulk of the blame for the current mess.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2025
  • John is not a defendant in her lawsuit, which places the blame squarely on Matthew and Robert.
    Dan Schlossberg, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Mohammed was set to formally plead guilty on Friday with his two co-defendants scheduled to follow next week.
    Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
  • The offer would also require Higgins to plead guilty to leaving the scene of a fatal accident in return for a five-year prison term.
    Hailey Salvian, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • An arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt: A 21-year-old man from Naperville was arrested on a warrant at 7:25 p.m. Jan. 11 in the 800 block of Springhill Circle.
    Steve Metsch, Chicago Tribune, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Cortland agreed to a consent decree in the case, which will resolve any claims against the company without admission of guilt, according to the Justice Department’s news release.
    Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 13 Jan. 2025
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 Jan. 2025.

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