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 Any road improvements or development will be Velocity Arts’s responsibility, according to city documents, including widening Clare Road, paving 167th Street from Clare to I-35 and improving the Clare Road bridge over I-35. — Taylor O'Connor 28, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026 These changes have not been enough to convince allies that the United States is serious about handing over responsibility for conventional deterrence. — Jennifer Kavanagh, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026 The director’s role includes overseeing legislative affairs, land management and mines, among other responsibilities, according to IDNR. — Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 That lack of a carrier in the US 7th Fleet’s area of responsibility raises questions for other regional allies. — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for responsibility

Recent Examples of Synonyms for responsibility

Noun

In addition, the American people have to share part of the blame.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Amid a mayoral election, Bass shifted the blame to Raman before visiting the community and talking to neighbors.

— Joy Benedict, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of blame

Noun

Current remaining performance obligation (cRPO) up 14% in constant currency, which is also 1 percentage point above the July quarter guide.

— Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
The school board directed the Superintendent to determine what the district’s financial obligations would be if a Schools of Hope charter occupied a closed school.

— Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of obligation

Noun

Rare earth processing technologies must compete on throughput, operating costs, purity, and reliability.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026
Freight rates have continued their ascent amid the ongoing delays and schedule reliability concerns compounding other factors like the war in Iran, which has kept fuel costs elevated.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of reliability

Noun

Harry and Meghan are returning to the UK as private citizens and will not be resuming any official duties on behalf of King Charles III.

— Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
There is little for police to do besides offer condolences, ask questions and carry out their legal duty to confirm the parents did nothing that constitutes a crime in Idaho.

— Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of duty

Noun

Errands, chores, or work needs may bump against your desire for ease, beauty, or personal space.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2026
The various configurations allow the property to accommodate a range of needs, budgets, and even levels of privacy, making the experience that much more customizable.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of need

Noun

Federal guidance for public schools expressly recognizes that a teacher may excuse a student from class to relieve a significant burden on religious exercise, giving Muslim students who need to pray during Ramadan as one example.

— Asma Uddin, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026
Ukraine has also tried to make Russian civilians feel the burden of war by hammering major online retailers and oil facilities.

— ABC News, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of burden

Noun

Michael Mankins and Matthew Crupi want value maximization back as the objective, with stakeholder commitments as hard or soft constraints.

— Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026
The integration of laser systems on the lightweight, highly mobile ISV platform reflects a commitment to scalable, adaptable, and expeditionary force protection solutions.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of commitment

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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 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of responsibility

noun

Example Sentences

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