CULPABILITY Synonyms: 23 Similar and Opposite Words

culpability

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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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 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 Based upon their replies, occupying Allied officials ranked their culpability, then tried the worst offenders — most famously in the Nuremberg trials, but also in numerous local tribunals. — Fern Schumer Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026 But the legal system’s binary standard—sane and guilty, or insane and not—fits imperfectly with human intuitions about culpability in tragedies like the Clancys’. — Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 30 July 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

Browse Nearby Words

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

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