CULPABILITIES Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

culpability 1 of 2

noun

ˌkəl-pə-ˈbi-lə-tē

Definition of culpability

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

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culpable

2 of 2

adjective

ˈkəl-pə-bəl

as in guilty

deserving reproach or blame are you any less culpable for murder if you acted in the heat of passion?

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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

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 culpability

Noun

The trial was a battle between those who believe the law should take a person’s mental illness into account when determining culpability, and those who don’t. — Wendy Murphy, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2026 The case has also sparked deep public divisions over her culpability and the issues around maternal mental health after childbirth. — Leah Willingham, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Adjective

The investigation also found the Clippers culpable in facilitating additional deals for Leonard to gain income from Boingo Wireless, Daktronics and Lockton. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 2 Sep. 2026 But isn’t the manager culpable when his dugout repeatedly butchers fundamental baserunning and defensive basics? — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for culpability

Recent Examples of Synonyms for culpability

Noun

Trump administration officials and allies are starting to debate who will shoulder the blame if Republicans perform poorly in November.

— Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Congressman John James met for their second and final debate before Election Day on Thursday night, this time trading blame for the state's condition.

— Elle Meyers, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of blame

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culminations

culpability

culpable

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“Culpability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/culpability. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of culpability

noun

adjective

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