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
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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
Nina Li Coomes, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2024
Caspar did not agree, at least not entirely, that the woman was without blame or culpability.
—Brandon Taylor, The Atlantic, 4 Jan. 2025
Jesse Green, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
The geopolitical consequences are profound, especially as a new president prepares to take office: If Russia, or any other country, were found culpable for violent attacks on U.S. government personnel, Washington would likely feel compelled to forcefully respond.
—Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for culpability 
Noun
Ought Yasmin take their urging and accept culpability for her family?
—Nina Li Coomes, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2024
Caspar did not agree, at least not entirely, that the woman was without blame or culpability.
—Brandon Taylor, The Atlantic, 4 Jan. 2025
Adjective
To be white is to be the exception here and, in a way, to be culpable.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
The geopolitical consequences are profound, especially as a new president prepares to take office: If Russia, or any other country, were found culpable for violent attacks on U.S. government personnel, Washington would likely feel compelled to forcefully respond.
—Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for culpability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for culpability
Noun
-
Bail reform has been tweaked three times since it was enacted in 2019 and gets the most public blame for the rise in many types of crime and recidivism since.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
1 Feb. 2025
-
The Safety Board will not find blame in the DCA crash.—
Matthew L. Wald,
The New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Porter pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and awaits sentencing in May.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
31 Jan. 2025
-
Ethan previously pleaded guilty to all of the charges against him, including murder and terrorism.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
31 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Meta, which has committed to achieving carbon neutrality in its operations, is already working to assuage the guilt of relying on carbon dioxide emitting natural gas to run Sucré.—
Christopher Helman,
Forbes,
8 Feb. 2025
-
The Åre Murders, which premiered globally on Netflix with five episodes, begins with the promise of a simple murder mystery but evolves into a study of the choices and consequences faced by characters who are all, at their core, driven by secrets and guilt.—
Isadora Wandermurem,
TIME,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
But even more blameworthy has been the president’s assault on U.S. institutions, which began long before the novel coronavirus appeared and will be felt long after it is gone.—
Daron Acemoglu,
Foreign Affairs,
23 Mar. 2020
-
His political support group consists mainly of sycophants who seek status by riding his popular coattails, while the erstwhile staff of his late presidential office have either now become subjects for criminal prosecution or — if not blameworthy — are adamantly urging against his return.—
Letters To The Editor,
The Mercury News,
3 May 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near culpability
Cite this Entry
“Culpability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/culpability. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.
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