Definition of blamablenext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word blamable different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of blamable are blameworthy, culpable, and guilty. While all these words mean "deserving reproach or punishment," blameworthy and blamable apply to any degree of reprehensibility.

conduct adjudged blameworthy
an accident for which no one is blamable

When could culpable be used to replace blamable?

While the synonyms culpable and blamable are close in meaning, culpable is weaker than guilty and is likely to connote malfeasance or errors of ignorance, omission, or negligence.

culpable neglect

When would guilty be a good substitute for blamable?

The words guilty and blamable are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for blamable
Adjective
  • Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 30-year-old Afghan national accused in the attack, has pleaded not guilty.
    Steven Beynon, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The couple, who married in 2017 and have four children, were due to be seen before a judge in an Arkansas court on Monday but skipped the hearing after their not guilty pleas were withdrawn and a plea by order to the court was submitted.
    Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 11 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Extreme cold made the O-rings fail, but NASA’s culture was just as blameworthy and needed a retrofit more urgently than any piece of shuttle hardware.
    Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 28 Jan. 2026
  • As the shutdown goes on, moreover, the polling on which side is more to blame seems to be gradually shifting toward Democrats as the more blameworthy side.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • This fiasco might seem to vindicate the establishment that Platner railed against, but Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who wanted to stop Platner, is also partly culpable here.
    Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
  • Yes, every life includes some unique and untold combination of experiences for which other people are morally culpable.
    Thomas Lake, AJC.com, 4 June 2026
Adjective
  • Voting is optional in New Zealand but enrollment for those eligible and living in the country is compulsory, with failure to do so punishable by a fine of 100 New Zealand dollars ($59).
    ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Failure to do so is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $25 to $250.
    Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • So while Murrill’s desire to deprive exonerees of money is terrible, Alexander said, her efforts to prevent them from having their names officially cleared are truly reprehensible.
    Richard A. Webster, ProPublica, 6 Aug. 2026
  • In the last two weeks, two Illinois House Democrats have been exposed for allegedly misusing their offices, engaging in reprehensible conduct and abusing the public trust placed in them as state representatives.
    Amy Elik, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026
Adjective
  • Authorities say the employee who discharged the firearm has been charged with reckless conduct.
    CBS News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Last week, Nolan-O’Slatarra’s family filed a summons with notice against Durnan in Manhattan Supreme Court, accusing him of assault, gross negligence, and reckless and wanton conduct in connection with the woman’s death.
    Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 11 Aug. 2026
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.

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Blamable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blamable. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on blamable

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!