culpable

adjective

cul·​pa·​ble ˈkəl-pə-bəl How to pronounce culpable (audio)
Synonyms of culpablenext
1
: meriting condemnation or blame especially as wrong or harmful
culpable negligence
The defendant is culpable for her actions.
2
archaic : guilty, criminal
culpableness noun
culpably adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for culpable

blameworthy, blamable, guilty, culpable 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

guilty implies responsibility for or consciousness of crime, sin, or, at the least, grave error or misdoing.

guilty of a breach of etiquette

culpable is weaker than guilty and is likely to connote malfeasance or errors of ignorance, omission, or negligence.

culpable neglect

Examples of culpable in a Sentence

They held her culpable for the accident. He's more culpable than the others because he's old enough to know better.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Bartscher granted a downward departure, finding that Ryan’s conduct was less serious than typical culpable negligent cases and citing her remorse, court records show. Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 26 May 2026 In addition to the probe by the Maldives government, prosecutors in Rome have opened a culpable homicide investigation into the tragedy, sources told the Italian news agency ANSA. Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 19 May 2026 Alexander pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of culpable homicide and attempting to pervert the course of justice, while Robert also pleaded guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice. Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 5 May 2026 Mason Miller is the only reliever not culpable in one of those losses. Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for culpable

Word History

Etymology

Middle English coupable, from Anglo-French cupable, culpable, from Latin culpabilis, from culpare to blame, from culpa guilt

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of culpable was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Culpable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/culpable. Accessed 31 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

culpable

adjective
cul·​pa·​ble ˈkəl-pə-bəl How to pronounce culpable (audio)
: deserving blame
culpability noun
culpableness noun
culpably adverb

Legal Definition

culpable

adjective
cul·​pa·​ble ˈkəl-pə-bəl How to pronounce culpable (audio)
: deserving condemnation or blame as wrong or harmful
culpability noun
culpableness noun
culpably adverb

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