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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

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 liable Brazil's tax reform to affect non-resident digital service sellers As part of Brazil's tax reform, starting in 2026, non-resident providers of digital services will be liable for collecting new indirect taxes. Aleksandra Bal, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024 Three years later, in 1998, he was found liable for the murders in a civil suit from the victims’ families. Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2024 Nearly all of the survey respondents agreed that AI always, often, or occasionally, produces biased recommendations when assessing candidates, including being liable to age, gender, socio-economic, and racial/ethnic bias. Rachel Wells, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024 In August 2023, a judge ruled Giuliani was liable for defamation, civil conspiracy and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Sareen Habeshian, Axios, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for liable 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for liable
Adjective
  • Notably, losing an hour of daylight can take a toll on people who are susceptible to seasonal affective disorder, a type of depression that peaks during the darker winter months.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024
  • Cult experts say anyone is vulnerable because everyone is susceptible to influence.
    David Oliver, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • Whoever was responsible for sponsorships and product integration this season definitely just stopped trying at some point.
    Alice Burton, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024
  • Senior officials from Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Fiji pointed to a report that found Australia, Canada and Britain are responsible for 60% of emissions generated by fossil fuel extraction across the 56 members of the Commonwealth since 1990, despite representing only 6% of the Commonwealth’s population.
    Mahalia Dobson, NBC News, 10 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The older trees themselves, more exposed in the landscape, could be more vulnerable to windstorms.
    April Ehrlich, ProPublica, 12 Nov. 2024
  • Beijing, on the other hand, remains reliant on Taiwanese technology products for its manufacturing industry, meaning that China is now arguably more vulnerable to a disruption in cross-strait trade than Taiwan.
    David Sacks, Foreign Affairs, 8 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • There was a certain amount of art that went into strategizing what information people had to be able to embody their characters, and know what their characters know without opening up any of the more sensitive material to people who didn’t need to know it.
    Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Nov. 2024
  • The group is known for deploying ransomware that encrypts data and uses double extortion tactics, threatening to release sensitive information on its dark web leak site if ransom demands are not met.
    Lars Daniel, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Rebuilding any of these defense and weapons facilities could take months, putting a strain on any potential response by Iran, which is now more exposed and less able to replenish missiles.
    Freddie Clayton, NBC News, 29 Oct. 2024
  • And if bare legs and ankle boots still feel too exposed for you, play around with the styling.
    Franziska Fuchs, Glamour, 22 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • The distinctive body is well suited for left-handed users as well as righties, but the hyper-glossy exterior is prone to smudging.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
  • As an artist, Rebecca Moses is prone to taking the unfamiliar route.
    David Moin, WWD, 5 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near liable

Cite this Entry

“Liable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/liable. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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