responsible
adjective
re·spon·si·ble ri-ˈspän(t)-sə-bəl 
1
a
: liable to be called on to answer
b(1)
: liable to be called to account as the primary cause, motive, or agent
a committee responsible for the job
(2)
: being the cause or explanation
mechanical defects were responsible for the accident
c
: liable to legal review or in case of fault to penalties
2
a
: able to answer for one's conduct and obligations : trustworthy
b
: able to choose for oneself between right and wrong
3
: marked by or involving responsibility or accountability
responsible financial policies
4
: politically answerable
especially : required to submit to the electorate if defeated by the legislature —used especially of the British cabinet
responsibleness noun
responsibly
ri-ˈspän(t)-sə-blē
adverb 
Synonyms
- accountable
- amenable
- answerable
- liable
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
"If you all die of typhoid I won't be responsible!" he snapped. "If you die of dullness, neither will I," Helen echoed in her heart. 
Virginia Woolf, The Voyage Out, 1915 I have long since ceased to cherish any spirit of bitterness against the Southern white people on account of the enslavement of my race. No one section of our country was wholly responsible for its introduction, and, besides, it was recognized and protected for years by the General Government. Booker T. Washington, Up from Slavery, 1900, 1901 He resumed our walk with me, passing his hand into my arm. "Then when AM I going back?" I wore, in turning it over, my most responsible air. Henry James, The Turn of the Screw, 1898 She is a very responsible worker. Is he responsible enough to have a car?
Virginia Woolf, The Voyage Out, 1915 I have long since ceased to cherish any spirit of bitterness against the Southern white people on account of the enslavement of my race. No one section of our country was wholly responsible for its introduction, and, besides, it was recognized and protected for years by the General Government. Booker T. Washington, Up from Slavery, 1900, 1901 He resumed our walk with me, passing his hand into my arm. "Then when AM I going back?" I wore, in turning it over, my most responsible air. Henry James, The Turn of the Screw, 1898 She is a very responsible worker. Is he responsible enough to have a car? Recent Examples on the Web There was no ambiguity as to who was responsible for providing coordinated care recommendations — their doctor. Peter A. Bonis, STAT, 11 Sep. 2022 Chemical manufacturers and users should be responsible for keeping PFAS waste out of sewers and cleaning up contaminated sites, the groups contend. Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 10 Sep. 2022 When the meeting of Accession Council concludes, the College of Arms, a royal corporation dating from 1484, will be responsible for spreading word of the new king throughout the country. Matthew Mulligan, NBC News, 10 Sep. 2022 Additionally, Irma was responsible for huge Florida damages. Joe Mario Pedersen, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Sep. 2022 Farmington will be responsible for about 30% of this. Lynn Kutter, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2022 With this settlement, Brannen will be responsible for any taxes on the $2.75 million payment, according to the eight-page document outlining the resolution. Keith Jenkins, The Enquirer, 9 Sep. 2022 Local officials are responsible for managing the lists of eligible households and distributing the grain to village shops. Vibhuti Agarwal, WSJ, 9 Sep. 2022 Del Vecchio will be responsible for all corporate finance, treasury and accounting functions of the company and will report directly to John Kiernan, the president and CEO. Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2022 See More
Peter A. Bonis, STAT, 11 Sep. 2022 Chemical manufacturers and users should be responsible for keeping PFAS waste out of sewers and cleaning up contaminated sites, the groups contend. Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 10 Sep. 2022 When the meeting of Accession Council concludes, the College of Arms, a royal corporation dating from 1484, will be responsible for spreading word of the new king throughout the country. Matthew Mulligan, NBC News, 10 Sep. 2022 Additionally, Irma was responsible for huge Florida damages. Joe Mario Pedersen, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Sep. 2022 Farmington will be responsible for about 30% of this. Lynn Kutter, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2022 With this settlement, Brannen will be responsible for any taxes on the $2.75 million payment, according to the eight-page document outlining the resolution. Keith Jenkins, The Enquirer, 9 Sep. 2022 Local officials are responsible for managing the lists of eligible households and distributing the grain to village shops. Vibhuti Agarwal, WSJ, 9 Sep. 2022 Del Vecchio will be responsible for all corporate finance, treasury and accounting functions of the company and will report directly to John Kiernan, the president and CEO. Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Anglo-French responsable, from respuns — see response
First Known Use
1643, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing responsible
Kids Definition
responsible
adjective
re·spon·si·ble ri-ˈspän-sə-bəl
1
: getting the credit or blame for acts or decisions
You are responsible for the damage.
2
: reliable
responsible teenagers
3
: needing a dependable person
a responsible job
Legal Definition
responsible
adjective
re·spon·si·ble
1
a
: liable to be called on to answer
b
: liable to be called to account as the primary cause, motive, or agent
c
: liable to legal review or in case of fault to penalties
2
: characterized by trustworthiness, integrity, and requisite abilities and resources
awarded the contract to the lowest responsible bidder
3
: able to choose for oneself between right and wrong
4
: marked by or involving accountability
a responsible office
responsible
adjective
1
as in liable
being the one who must meet an obligation or suffer the consequences for failing to do so the state laws hold pet owners responsible for any damage or injury done by improperly restrained animals Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- liable
- accountable
- answerable
- obligated
- indebted
- amenable
- obliged
- beholden
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- irresponsible
- exempt
- unaccountable
- immune
- nonaccountable
2
as in reliable
worthy of one's trust our regular babysitter is very responsible Synonyms & Similar Words
- reliable
- safe
- good
- true
- steady
- trustworthy
- dependable
- secure
- loyal
- sure
- solid
- devoted
- tried
- trustable
- calculable
- strong
- faithful
- trusty
- steadfast
- constant
- honest
- effective
- proven
- sincere
- fast
- staunch
- infallible
- blameless
- telling
- valid
- confirmed
- tried-and-true
- validated
- sound
- stanch
- unerring
- single-minded
- guiltless
- firm
- verified
- authenticated
- irreproachable
- faultless
- impeccable
- bedrock
- unquestionable
- attested
- unimpeachable
- true-blue
- inerrant
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unsafe
- uncertain
- unreliable
- untrustworthy
- unfaithful
- disloyal
- treacherous
- dishonest
- false
- traitorous
- questionable
- problematic
- perfidious
- untrue
- lying
- faithless
- undependable
- suspect
- doubtful
- hazardous
- deceitful
- uncertain
- dodgy
- risky
- dubious
- fickle
- inconstant
- untruthful
- problematical
- mendacious
- shady
- debatable
- unsound
- shaky
- disputable
- recreant
- fishy
- unconfirmed
- untried
- doubtable
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of responsible are accountable, amenable, answerable, and liable. While all these words mean "subject to being held to account," responsible implies holding a specific office, duty, or trust.
the bureau responsible for revenue collection
The words accountable and responsible are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, accountable suggests imminence of retribution for unfulfilled trust or violated obligation.
elected officials are accountable to the voters
Both amenable and liable stress the fact of subjection to review, censure, or control by a designated authority under certain conditions.
laws are amenable to judicial review
not liable for the debts of the former spouse
The synonyms answerable and responsible are sometimes interchangeable, but answerable suggests a relation between one having a moral or legal obligation and a court or other authority charged with oversight of its observance.
an intelligence agency answerable to Congress
- overdesigns
- overdetermined
- overdevelop
- overdeveloped
- overdeveloping
- overdevelopment
- overdevelopments
- overdevelops
- overdiagnose
- overdiagnosed
- overdiagnoses
- overdiagnosing
- overdiagnosis
- overdid
- overdifferentiations
- overdiligent
- overdirect
- overdirected
- overdirecting
- overdirects
- overdischarge
- overdiscount
- overdiscounted
- overdiscounting
- overdiscounts