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Responsibility

/ɹɪˌspɑnsəˈbɪlɪɾi/

The state of being responsible, accountable, or answerable.

📖 Definitions of "Responsibility"

noun
  1. 1

    The state of being responsible, accountable, or answerable.

    "Responsibility is a heavy burden."

  2. 2

    The state of being liable, culpable, or responsible for something in particular.

  3. 3

    A duty, obligation or liability for which someone is held accountable.

    "Why didn't you clean the house? That was your responsibility!"

  4. 4

    The obligation to carry forward an assigned task to a successful conclusion. With responsibility goes authority to direct and take the necessary action to ensure success.

🔄 Synonyms of "Responsibility"

4 synonyms found via WordNet and Google Books.

WordDefinition
obligationnounA social, legal, or moral requirement, duty, contract, or promise that compels someone to follow or avoid a particular course of action.
dutynoun(countable, uncountable) That which one is morally or legally obligated to do.
responsiblenessnounThe state of being responsible; responsibility.
provincenounAn administrative subdivision of certain countries, including Canada and China.

↔️ Antonyms of "Responsibility"

Words with the opposite meaning.

WordDefinition
irresponsibilitynounThe character or state of being irresponsible; lack of or freedom from responsibility; want of accountability.
irresponsiblenessnounThe quality of being irresponsible.

💡 Words with a Similar Meaning to "Responsibility"

Found via reverse dictionary — words that share a conceptual meaning.

WordDefinition
responsiblenessnounThe state of being responsible; responsibility.
dutynoun(countable, uncountable) That which one is morally or legally obligated to do.
obligationnounA social, legal, or moral requirement, duty, contract, or promise that compels someone to follow or avoid a particular course of action.
provincenounAn administrative subdivision of certain countries, including Canada and China.
accountableObliged, when called upon, to answer (for one’s deeds); answerable.
liableBound or obliged in law or equity; responsible; answerable.
accountabilitynounThe state of being accountable; liability to be called on to render an account or give an explanation; liability to be held responsible or answerable for something.
responsiblenoun(postpositive, followed by "for") Having the duty of taking care of something; answerable for an act performed or for its consequences; accountable; amenable, especially legally or politically.
mandatedrequired, mandatory
devoirnoun(archaic, often in plural) Duty, business; something that one must do.
duty-boundAlternative spelling of dutybound. [Compelled by duty.]
mandatenounAn official or authoritative command; an order or injunction; a commission; a judicial precept; an authorization.
decision-makingnounAlternative form of decision making. [The process of reaching a decision.]
remitnoun(chiefly British) Terms of reference; set of responsibilities; scope.
authoritynoun(uncountable) Power or right to make or enforce rules, give orders, or impose obligation; or a position having such power or right.
prosecutionnoun(law) The institution of legal proceedings (particularly criminal) against a person.
controlnoun(countable, uncountable) An influence or authority over something.
liabilitynounAn obligation, debt or responsibility owed to someone.
attributionnounThe act of attributing something.
competencenoun(uncountable) The quality or state of being competent, i.e. able or suitable for a general role.

Words Strongly Associated with "Responsibility"

These words statistically appear in the same text as "responsibility" (Google Books Ngrams).

🎨 Adjectives for "Responsibility"

Popular adjectives used to describe this word in books.

🏷️ Nouns for "Responsibility"

Common nouns this word is used to describe.

📝 Common Phrases with "Responsibility"

Words that come before

Words that come after

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  • responsibilityand
  • responsibilityin
  • responsibilityis
  • responsibilityas
  • responsibilityon
  • responsibilitythat
  • responsibilitywas
  • responsibilitywhich
  • responsibilityby
  • responsibilitywith

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