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
Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026
Based on a true story, Erin Brockovich follows the titular law firm worker who stumbles upon records involving the Pacific Gas & Electric Company's culpability in a contamination incident.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Apr. 2026
Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
In 2024, State Bar Judge Yvette Roland found Eastman culpable on 10 of the 11 counts filed by the California State Bar.
—Ella Lee, The Hill, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for culpability
Noun
Each company filed responses to Castillo’s lawsuit denying culpability for the accident.
—Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026
Based on a true story, Erin Brockovich follows the titular law firm worker who stumbles upon records involving the Pacific Gas & Electric Company's culpability in a contamination incident.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Roland found Eastman culpable of 10 of 11 counts of misconduct.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
In 2024, State Bar Judge Yvette Roland found Eastman culpable on 10 of the 11 counts filed by the California State Bar.
—Ella Lee, The Hill, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for culpability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for culpability
Noun
-
On Sunday, Juan Soto said the blame falls on the players — not on Mendoza or president of baseball operations David Stearns — after the Mets fell to 9-19, tied for the worst record in baseball.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
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But the players should take their fair share of the blame, too.—
Simon Johnson,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Gallego’s husband, Juan Antonio Gonzalez, 49, entered a guilty plea to one count of money laundering.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
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The jury found the the elder Franqui guilty on all counts and he was sentenced to 50 years in prison.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Family separations cause grief, confusion, attachment disruption and guilt for children, often leading to lifelong emotional and psychological suffering.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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In September 2011, Rapo was sentenced to 4 ½ years in prison after previously pleading no contest — which cannot be used as evidence of guilt in a civil matter — to second-degree manslaughter.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Extreme cold made the O-rings fail, but NASA’s culture was just as blameworthy and needed a retrofit more urgently than any piece of shuttle hardware.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
28 Jan. 2026
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As the shutdown goes on, moreover, the polling on which side is more to blame seems to be gradually shifting toward Democrats as the more blameworthy side.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Culpability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/culpability. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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