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 Like Bill Gates and MacKenzie Scott today, Rosenwald realized that people who command great wealth have corresponding responsibilities to help others. — Harold Pollack, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026 Baker said enforcement is part of the city's responsibility to maintain a safe and healthy community, particularly when food is involved. — Da Lin, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026 This is also the first film for which Vaz has ceded editing responsibilities. — Dylan Adamson, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026 With women increasingly prevented from working, more of the responsibility for supporting families falls on men and boys. — Fatima Faizi, NPR, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for responsibility

Recent Examples of Synonyms for responsibility

Noun

Ashley Christopher, an attorney and Howard alumna whose son is a sophomore there, thinks Howard shoulders some blame.

— Matt Brown, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026
As Democrats and Republicans point the finger of blame at each other, even resorting to childish name calling, Americans are put in the uncomfortable position of trying to figure out who’s being truthful and who is lying.

— Mike Patton, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of blame

Noun

When serious concerns involving district operations and oversight are raised, the Board has an obligation to investigate them thoroughly, carefully consider the findings and act in the best long-term interest of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

— Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 12 Aug. 2026
The Times reported that the original deals for the top creatives included zero obligations for a sequel.

— Matt Donnelly, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of obligation

Noun

The invisible backbone of new fiber is reshaping how Americans access medical care, track recovery, and maintain everyday wellness, positioning reliability as a foundational public-health asset.

— Tanya Akim, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
The university says there will be research into the safety and reliability of America's nuclear stockpile, and no nuclear materials will ever come to or be built at the site.

— Jack Springgate, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of reliability

Noun

Local manufacturing could eventually lower vehicle prices by avoiding import duties while stimulating investment in charging infrastructure, component manufacturing and battery production.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
Whether winning us over with her glamorous red carpet-ready style or inspiring us with chic off-duty outfits, Gerber has developed a distinct point of view that is truly noteworthy.

— Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of duty

Noun

Securing those additions, though, is secondary to the more pressing need to build and develop a strong starting XI, an area in which Carrick has made significant progress.

— Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
Although the agreement is for all of the more than 3 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of gas in Cronos to go to Europe, there’s a clause in the deal so that about a fifth of that amount could be used to cover some of Egypt’s domestic energy needs.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of need

Noun

Electricity bills have gone up in Quincy, but large industrial customers like data centers are shouldering the burden.

— Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
The burden varies depending on how open the model is and how mature the supporting software ecosystem has become.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of burden

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responsibilities

responsibility

responsible

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Style

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

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Synonyms of responsibility

noun

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