responsible implies holding a specific office, duty, or trust.
the bureau responsible for revenue collection
answerable suggests a relation between one having a moral or legal obligation and a court or other authority charged with oversight of its observance.
an intelligence agency answerable to Congress
accountable suggests imminence of retribution for unfulfilled trust or violated obligation.
elected officials are accountable to the voters
amenable and liable stress the fact of subjection to review, censure, or control by a designated authority under certain conditions.
laws are amenable to judicial review
not liable for the debts of the former spouse
Example Sentences
"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, 1915I 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, 1901He 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 WebThere was no ambiguity as to who was responsible for providing coordinated care recommendations — their doctor. Peter A. Bonis, STAT, 11 Sep. 2022 Chemical manufacturers and users should be responsible for keeping PFAS waste out of sewers and cleaning up contaminated sites, the groups contend. Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 10 Sep. 2022 When the meeting of Accession Council concludes, the College of Arms, a royal corporation dating from 1484, will be responsible for spreading word of the new king throughout the country. Matthew Mulligan, NBC News, 10 Sep. 2022 Additionally, Irma was responsible for huge Florida damages. Joe Mario Pedersen, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Sep. 2022 Farmington will be responsible for about 30% of this. Lynn Kutter, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2022 With this settlement, Brannen will be responsible for any taxes on the $2.75 million payment, according to the eight-page document outlining the resolution. Keith Jenkins, The Enquirer, 9 Sep. 2022 Local officials are responsible for managing the lists of eligible households and distributing the grain to village shops. Vibhuti Agarwal, WSJ, 9 Sep. 2022 Del Vecchio will be responsible for all corporate finance, treasury and accounting functions of the company and will report directly to John Kiernan, the president and CEO. Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Anglo-French responsable, from respuns — see response