ANSWERABILITIES Synonyms: 46 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'answerable' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of answerable are accountable , amenable , liable , and responsible . While all these words mean "subject to being held to account," 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

Q: Where would 'accountable' be a reasonable alternative to 'answerable'?

The synonyms accountable and answerable are sometimes interchangeable, but accountable suggests imminence of retribution for unfulfilled trust or violated obligation. // elected officials are accountable to the voters

Q: How do 'amenable' and 'liable' relate to one another, in the sense of 'answerable'?

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

Q: When can 'responsible' be used instead of 'answerable'?

The meanings of responsible and answerable largely overlap; however, responsible implies holding a specific office, duty, or trust. // the bureau responsible for revenue collection

answerability 1 of 2

noun

Definition of answerability

as in accountability

willingness or obligation to explain one's actions or to admit being the cause of a problem Without any answerability to the people, the despot's actions were motivated by a desire for personal enrichment.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

unaccountability

answerable

2 of 2

adjective

ˈan(t)-s(ə-)rə-bəl

as in responsible

being the one who must meet an obligation or suffer the consequences for failing to do so you are answerable for your own conduct at all times

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in resolvable

capable of having the reason for or cause of determined they say this equation is not answerable

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective answerable contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of answerable are accountable, amenable, liable, and responsible. While all these words mean "subject to being held to account," 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

Where would accountable be a reasonable alternative to answerable?

The synonyms accountable and answerable are sometimes interchangeable, but accountable suggests imminence of retribution for unfulfilled trust or violated obligation.

elected officials are accountable to the voters

How do amenable and liable relate to one another, in the sense of answerable?

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

When can responsible be used instead of answerable?

The meanings of responsible and answerable largely overlap; however, responsible implies holding a specific office, duty, or trust.

the bureau responsible for revenue collection

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 answerability

Adjective

Our lame-duck governor is happily corrupt and no longer answerable to Floridians. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 30 May 2026 And being accountable means owning every vote, every decision, and being answerable to the people, not a political party. — Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 20 May 2026 What mine cost me was the full weight of Black comedy that thrived entirely on its own terms, answerable only to Black audiences and no one else. — Geoff Bennett, The Atlantic, 13 Apr. 2026 Out-of-scope questions about China, from Raymond’s example, wouldn’t be answerable. — Erik German, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for answerability

Recent Examples of Synonyms for answerability

Noun

Effective leaders reframe these to foster accountability, share context, and promote learning, ensuring communication lines remain open and employees feel valued.

— Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Identity, security, reliability, enforceability, and accountability had to be built into the product.

— Keith Krach, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of accountability

Noun

The Gemini Moon moves through your 6th House of Work and Wellness and sextiles Saturn in your 4th House of Home, helping routines, chores, and household responsibilities click into place.

— Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2026
Blending intimate drama with urgent political relevance, the film explores generational conflict, responsibility and the search for meaningful action in times of crisis.

— Marta Balaga, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of responsibility

Browse Nearby Words

answer

answerability

answerable

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Answerability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/answerability. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of answerability

noun

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

nurture

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes