responsible
adjective
re·spon·si·ble
ri-ˈspän(t)-sə-bəl 
1
2
a
: able to answer for one's conduct and obligations : trustworthy
b
: able to choose for oneself between right and wrong
3
: marked by or involving responsibility or accountability
responsible financial policies
4
: politically answerable
especially
: required to submit to the electorate if defeated by the legislature
—used especially of the British cabinet
responsibleness
noun
Examples of responsible in a Sentence
"If you all die of typhoid I won't be responsible!" he snapped. "If you die of dullness, neither will I," Helen echoed in her heart.
—
Virginia Woolf, The Voyage Out, 1915
I have long since ceased to cherish any spirit of bitterness against the Southern white people on account of the enslavement of my race. No one section of our country was wholly responsible for its introduction, and, besides, it was recognized and protected for years by the General Government.
—Booker T. Washington, Up from Slavery, 1900, 1901
He resumed our walk with me, passing his hand into my arm. "Then when AM I going back?" I wore, in turning it over, my most responsible air.
—Henry James, The Turn of the Screw, 1898
She is a very responsible worker.
Is he responsible enough to have a car?
Virginia Woolf, The Voyage Out, 1915
I have long since ceased to cherish any spirit of bitterness against the Southern white people on account of the enslavement of my race. No one section of our country was wholly responsible for its introduction, and, besides, it was recognized and protected for years by the General Government.
—Booker T. Washington, Up from Slavery, 1900, 1901
He resumed our walk with me, passing his hand into my arm. "Then when AM I going back?" I wore, in turning it over, my most responsible air.
—Henry James, The Turn of the Screw, 1898
She is a very responsible worker.
Is he responsible enough to have a car?
Recent Examples on the Web
Kansas City is responsible for plowing the most lane miles in the metro at 6,400 and was equipped with 400 employees and 300 trucks to tackle the blizzard.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 7 Jan. 2025
The club is also responsible for any medical or dental costs associated with treating any injuries suffered at camp.
—Harman Dayal, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
The good news is that a tiny fraction of sites are responsible for much of that pollution.
—Rob Jackson, WIRED, 7 Jan. 2025
Lowering Refugee Admissions: Another Form Of Immigration Restriction During Donald Trump’s first term, press reports indicate White House Adviser Stephen Miller was chiefly responsible for reducing refugee admissions to historically low levels.
—Stuart Anderson, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for responsible 
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Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 7 Jan. 2025
The club is also responsible for any medical or dental costs associated with treating any injuries suffered at camp.
—Harman Dayal, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
The good news is that a tiny fraction of sites are responsible for much of that pollution.
—Rob Jackson, WIRED, 7 Jan. 2025
Lowering Refugee Admissions: Another Form Of Immigration Restriction During Donald Trump’s first term, press reports indicate White House Adviser Stephen Miller was chiefly responsible for reducing refugee admissions to historically low levels.
—Stuart Anderson, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for responsible
Dictionary Entries Near responsible
Cite this Entry
“Responsible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/responsible. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
responsible
adjective
re·spon·si·ble
ri-ˈspän(t)-sə-bəl
1
a
: being the one who must answer or account for something
the committee responsible for the job
b
: being the cause or explanation
the germ responsible for the disease
2
a
: able to meet one's obligations : reliable
a responsible citizen
b
: able to choose for oneself between right and wrong
3
: requiring a person to take charge of or be trusted with important matters
a responsible job
responsibleness
noun
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