CULPABLE Synonyms: 35 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

culpable

adjective

ˈkəl-pə-bəl

Definition of culpable next

as in guilty

deserving reproach or blame are you any less culpable for murder if you acted in the heat of passion?

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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

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Recent Examples of culpable 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 Carter: The United States is exceptionally culpable. —

Marianne Schnall, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024 The arrest comes after authorities filed charges including culpable homicide not amounting to murder against the 42-year-old actor, his security detail, and theater management. —

Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 13 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for culpable