as in blame
responsibility for wrongdoing or failure
cannot find culpability where there is neither knowledge that a crime has been committed nor evidence of intent to commit a crime
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in guilty
deserving reproach or blame
are you any less culpable for murder if you acted in the heat of passion?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of culpability
News Desk,
Artforum,
26 May 2026
Not Nico Harrison-level guilt, but culpability, which is why Kidd is no longer the head coach of the Dallas Mavericks.
—
Mac Engel
may 20,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 May 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for culpability
Noun
Daniel denied culpability, claiming that the funds supplied to Trevez had been for back pay performed while the couple were in Cuba.
—
News Desk,
Artforum,
26 May 2026
Not Nico Harrison-level guilt, but culpability, which is why Kidd is no longer the head coach of the Dallas Mavericks.
—
Mac Engel
may 20,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 May 2026
Adjective
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
See All Example Sentences for culpability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for culpability
Noun
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Instead, when concerns arise, blame is routinely shifted, and responsibility becomes one-sided.
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Spence also appears to be absorbing the blame for broader failures, with Thomas Tuchel’s touchline frustrations obvious and — for a player still establishing himself at this level — that scrutiny is unlikely to help.
Noun
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There are other options, but regardless of what’s on the table for the future, burnout deserves to be taken seriously rather than explained away out of pride, guilt, or habit.
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Cite this Entry
“Culpability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/culpability. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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