Synonym Chooser

How is the word culpable different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of culpable are blamable, blameworthy, and guilty. While all these words mean "deserving reproach or punishment," culpable is weaker than guilty and is likely to connote malfeasance or errors of ignorance, omission, or negligence.

culpable neglect

How are the words blameworthy and blamable related as synonyms of culpable?

Both blameworthy and blamable apply to any degree of reprehensibility.

conduct adjudged blameworthy
an accident for which no one is blamable

When could guilty be used to replace culpable?

While in some cases nearly identical to culpable, guilty implies responsibility for or consciousness of crime, sin, or, at the least, grave error or misdoing.

guilty of a breach of etiquette

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 culpable While research in that realm is in its infancy, some experts hypothesize that environmental factors influenced by climate change could be culpable in the uptick in kidney stone cases among children. The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025 The film doesn’t ask about the decision-making behind this outcome, but a consistent theme emerges relating to the question of who is culpable. Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2025 Nobody was more culpable than Murphy, whose determination to make amends for his costly sixth-minute error manifested in wayward crossing and poor decisions. Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025 These shifts in standards of care make uncovered, unclean stethoscopes culpable vectors in the event of infections during health care delivery. Diskcover, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for culpable

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Cite this Entry

“Culpable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/culpable. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

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