RESPONSIBILITY Synonyms: 82 Similar and Opposite Words

responsibility

noun

ri-ˌspän(t)-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē

Definition of responsibility

as in blame

the state of being held as the cause of something that needs to be set right responsibility for the accident lies with the driver who was speeding

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in obligation

something one must do because of prior agreement I had the responsibility of closing up the shop at night

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in reliability

worthiness as the recipient of another's trust or confidence the newspaper publisher should hire kids of greater responsibility to deliver its papers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 responsibility Schleinzer made a deliberate choice not to depict the assaults themselves, arguing that images carry a responsibility, particularly in a culture saturated with graphic representations of suffering. — Katherine Brodsky, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026 This summer, Duncan suggested Clark bore some responsibility for a wildly inappropriate USA Today column in which the author invoked Emmett Till while warning that Clark's silence in the face of online criticism could endanger black women. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026 Advertisement Huber says that the campus community believes Cornell is ultimately deflecting responsibility. — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 14 Oct. 2026 The most efficient way to provide property tax relief is for the General Assembly to adequately fund its responsibilities. — Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for responsibility

Recent Examples of Synonyms for responsibility

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

Noun

Given that the United States keeps getting mired in errant conflicts, Congress urgently needs to reassert its constitutional obligation to approve acts of war and oversee retrenchment.

— Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2026
Council members discussed how to balance the nonprofit’s need for a long-term agreement to attract donors with the city’s need to ensure the building remains in use and the organization fulfills its obligations.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of obligation

Noun

The results may offer useful clues about the reliability required before humanoids can take on longer shifts in industrial settings.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2026
As implementation becomes less scarce, value moves toward judgment, integration, verification, security, reliability and operational ownership.

— Luis Aburto, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of reliability

Noun

Those allegations include neglect of duty and violations of the department's code of conduct.

— Derek James, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
The university said Elizabeth Hall, associate vice chancellor for university compliance, was appointed to serve in both roles in addition to her existing duties.

— Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of duty

Noun

The film explores the contradictions of a Bulgarian town pulled into Europe’s shifting geopolitical order, where arms production for Ukraine’s frontlines collides with enduring ties to Russia, personal convictions, and the everyday need to survive.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
The company recently introduced four-finger hands for Atlas, underscoring the need to design robotic hardware around practical requirements.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of need

Noun

Referred to as financial toxicity, a diagnosis can result in harmful economic burden, stress and debt due to high out-of-pocket medical costs stemming from diagnostic tests, treatments, prescription drugs and hospital stays.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
But according to a new study, Connecticut is among the states with the highest leaf burden for homeowners, leaving residents to figure out what to do with all those leaves.

— Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of burden

Noun

The analyst believes that Marvell's supply chain commitments give it a competitive edge over rivals as customers seek reliable partners for large-scale infrastructure buildouts.

— TipRanks.com staff, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2026
Bailey emphasized to us his commitment to improving the state’s schools.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of commitment

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responsibility

responsible

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Style

“Responsibility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/responsibility. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of responsibility

noun

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