liable

adjective

ˈlī-ə-bəl How to pronounce liable (audio)
Definition of liablenext
1
as in susceptible
being in a situation where one is likely to meet with harm because of his frail constitution, he's liable to diseases

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in responsible
being the one who must meet an obligation or suffer the consequences for failing to do so the owner of a pet is liable for any damage that that pet might do

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective liable contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of liable are exposed, open, prone, sensitive, subject, and susceptible. While all these words mean "being by nature or through circumstances likely to experience something adverse," liable implies a possibility or probability of incurring something because of position, nature, or particular situation.

liable to get lost

When is it sensible to use exposed instead of liable?

The words exposed and liable are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exposed suggests lack of protection or powers of resistance against something actually present or threatening.

exposed to infection

In what contexts can open take the place of liable?

While the synonyms open and liable are close in meaning, open stresses a lack of barriers preventing incurrence.

a claim open to question

When might prone be a better fit than liable?

The meanings of prone and liable largely overlap; however, prone stresses natural tendency or propensity to incur something.

prone to delay

When would sensitive be a good substitute for liable?

While in some cases nearly identical to liable, sensitive implies a readiness to respond to or be influenced by forces or stimuli.

unduly sensitive to criticism

When is subject a more appropriate choice than liable?

In some situations, the words subject and liable are roughly equivalent. However, subject implies an openness for any reason to something that must be suffered or undergone.

all reports are subject to review

When could susceptible be used to replace liable?

The synonyms susceptible and liable are sometimes interchangeable, but susceptible implies conditions existing in one's nature or individual constitution that make incurrence probable.

very susceptible to flattery

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 liable Then, a Los Angeles jury found Meta and Google liable for damages in a landmark trial over youth social media addiction. —Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026 The judge, though, withheld judgment on whether Nathan’s The Agency Group could be held liable. —Dominic Patten, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026 Whether law enforcement is liable for not notifying the community that a killer was on the loose is the question of a separate lawsuit related to Lyons’ and Major’s deaths, this time against the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. —Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026 Jurors held Monsanto liable for failing to warn of the risk. —ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for liable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for liable
  1. susceptible
  2. responsible
  3. vulnerable
  4. sensitive
  5. exposed
  6. prone
Adjective
  • Writers said the article emphasized findings that were subjective and susceptible to bias.
    — David Hilzenrath, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Long-term drought conditions mean that vegetation is especially susceptible to fire.
    — Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 28 Mar. 2026
Definition of susceptible
Adjective
  • The investigation revealed that the man near the scene was the child's uncle, who was the last person known to be responsible for the child's care, police said.
    — Brandon Downs, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
  • To take ecology seriously in art is not to retreat from circulation, but to insist that circulation be reciprocal, responsible, and capable of resisting the monocultures—economic, cultural, and political—that continue to shape the present.
    — Manuela Moscoso, Artforum, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of responsible
Adjective
  • On his goal, Thomas swooped into the middle lane to dust McTavish and receive a slick feed from Broberg that sent him toward a vulnerable Dostál with speed for a rising shot.
    — Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026
  • But the memo indicates homelessness spending might not be as vulnerable to cuts as other programs because the city now has roughly $33 million in hotel tax revenue to spend each year on homelessness.
    — David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of vulnerable
Adjective
  • This wasn’t surprising, given that intelligence agencies compartmentalize information about sensitive operations.
    — David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
  • It is well understood in the region that could mean things like broad targeting of sensitive and highly vulnerable energy installations, something Iran has already threatened, essential for the regional and global economies, as well as hard to quickly repair and rebuild.
    — Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026
Definition of sensitive
Adjective
  • Plus, by leaving the foot more exposed, sandals help elongate the leg, which is particularly useful when wearing capri-length pants.
    — René Chávez Esparza, Glamour, 22 Mar. 2026
  • The objective is to reduce exposed equity within the entity in a lawful and structured manner.
    — Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026
Definition of exposed
Adjective
  • When heavy rain occurs, there is a risk of flooding, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone regions.
    — STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Apr. 2026
  • The Blackbird Mountain guides led the group through an avalanche-prone area for unknown reasons, despite two alternative routes, per the San Francisco Chronicle.
    — Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of prone

Browse Nearby Words

liability
liable
liaison
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Cite this Entry

“Liable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/liable. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of liable for Spanish Speakers

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