Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for

responsible

[ ri-spon-suh-buhl ]

adjective

  1. answerable or accountable, as for something within one's power, control, or management (often followed by to or for ):

    He is responsible to the president for his decisions.

    Synonyms:

  2. involving accountability or responsibility, as in having the power to control or manage:

    promoted to a responsible position in the firm.

  3. chargeable with being the author, cause, or occasion of something (usually followed by for ):

    Termites were responsible for the damage.

  4. having a capacity for moral decisions and therefore accountable; capable of rational thought or action:

    The defendant is not responsible for his actions.

    Synonyms:

  5. able to discharge obligations or pay debts.

    Synonyms:

  6. reliable or dependable, as in meeting debts, conducting business dealings, etc.

    Synonyms: , , ,

  7. (of a government, member of a government, government agency, or the like) answerable to or serving at the discretion of an elected legislature or the electorate.


responsible

/ ɪˈɒԲəə /

adjective

  1. postpositiveusually foll byfor having control or authority (over)
  2. postpositivefoll byto being accountable for one's actions and decisions (to)

    to be responsible to one's commanding officer

  3. (of a position, duty, etc) involving decision and accountability
  4. often foll by for being the agent or cause (of some action)

    to be responsible for a mistake

  5. able to take rational decisions without supervision; accountable for one's own actions

    a responsible adult

  6. able to meet financial obligations; of sound credit
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Derived Forms

  • ˈDzԲ, adverb
  • ˈDzԲԱ, noun
Discover More

Other Word Forms

  • ·Dzs··Ա noun
  • ·Dzs· adverb
  • t··Dzs· adjective
  • ԴDzr·Dzs· adjective
  • non·Dzs··Ա noun
  • non·Dzs· adverb
  • r·Dzs· adjective
  • ܲȴ-·Dzs· adjective
  • quasi-·Dzs· adverb
  • p··Dzs· adjective
  • super··Dzs··Ա noun
  • super··Dzs· adverb
  • ܲr·Dzs· adjective
  • un·Dzs··Ա noun
  • un·Dzs· adverb
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of responsible1

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin ōԲ(ܲ) ( response ( def ) ) + -ible ( def )
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of responsible1

C16: from Latin ŧDzԲܲ , from ŧDzԻŧ to respond
Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

"There are many patients we treat with chronic infections for years, but despite multiple tests we cannot identify the bug responsible," he says.

From

The website Bleeping Computer cites "multiple sources" suggesting they are responsible and says some of them are teenagers.

From

Mr Wright said that message was the "clearest confirmation in their own voices" the two men were responsible for felling the tree.

From

“Medicaid expansion is responsible for the largest share of the reduction of this nation’s uninsured rate,” says Joan Alker, a Medicaid and children’s health expert at Georgetown University.

From

Many are responsible for the small wasted bodies that will soon be seen again on Western television screens.

From

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


responsibilityresponsion