responsible
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.
involving accountability or responsibility, as in having the power to control or manage: promoted to a responsible position in the firm.
chargeable with being the author, cause, or occasion of something (usually followed by for): Termites were responsible for the damage.
having a capacity for moral decisions and therefore accountable; capable of rational thought or action: The defendant is not responsible for his actions.
able to discharge obligations or pay debts.
reliable or dependable, as in meeting debts, conducting business dealings, etc.
(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.
Origin of responsible
1Other words for responsible
Other words from responsible
- re·spon·si·ble·ness, noun
- re·spon·si·bly, adverb
- in·ter·re·spon·si·ble, adjective
- non·re·spon·si·ble, adjective
- non·re·spon·si·ble·ness, noun
- non·re·spon·si·bly, adverb
- pre·re·spon·si·ble, adjective
- qua·si-re·spon·si·ble, adjective
- qua·si-re·spon·si·bly, adverb
- su·per·re·spon·si·ble, adjective
- su·per·re·spon·si·ble·ness, noun
- su·per·re·spon·si·bly, adverb
- un·re·spon·si·ble, adjective
- un·re·spon·si·ble·ness, noun
- un·re·spon·si·bly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use responsible in a sentence
Younger investorsTheir desire to invest in and work for socially responsible companies is changing corporate priorities—and influencing share prices.
The biggest risks and opportunities for investors in 2021 | matthewheimer | November 20, 2020 | FortuneIn the sequel, exiled Lizzan forms a painful alliance with her former best friend and lover Aerax, the person responsible for her banishment.
Son believes Neumann has made mistakes and that he himself is to some extent responsible for those errors, Son said at the New York Times DealBook conference.
Investors are betting that the next Warby Parker will spring from Amazon | Lucinda Shen | November 18, 2020 | FortuneThey’re basically an extra production person who’s responsible for making sure all of that happens so that it’s not just on the producer and production team to figure that out.
‘Logistical issues’: Confessions of a production exec on how coronavirus safety has changed her job | Kristina Monllos | November 18, 2020 | DigidayIt’s estimated that Instagram Stories is responsible for 10% of all Facebook advertising, for example.
Twitter’s new disappearing posts lets users ‘fleet’ instead of tweet | Verne Kopytoff | November 17, 2020 | Fortune
We can act, carefully and responsibly, to prevent a potential act of genocide.
Yazidis Face Genocide by ISIS After U.S. Turns Away | Josh Rogin | November 4, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTTreasury has said the selection process is competitive enough and the contracts are handled responsibly.
Megabanks Have The Federal Prison System Locked Up | Center for Public Integrity | October 2, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTNow, her likeness stars in a “Consume Responsibly” billboard.
Maureen Dowd: ‘I Love’ Pot Billboard Using My Image, Will Use It for Christmas Card | Abby Haglage | September 17, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTUsed responsibly, OSI informants like Neubauer can effectively expose drug use and sexual misconduct in the ranks.
Spies, Lies, and Rape in the Air Force: An Undercover Agent's Story | Jacob Siegel | March 4, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTHow one court case could free them to ‘recreate’ responsibly.
Mr. Beeton stood by with the air of an ambassador and breathed responsibly.
The Works of Rudyard Kipling: One Volume Edition | Rudyard KiplingDrugs erode the capacity of students to perform in school, to think and act responsibly.
What Works: Schools Without Drugs | United States Department of EducationI am free and freely and responsibly making the future—so far as I am concerned.
The World of H.G. Wells | Van Wyck BrooksWe will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan.
Inaugural Presidential Address | Barack Hussein ObamaThe President could only communicate his opinions to the Senate responsibly, by message.
Thirty Years' View (Vol. II of 2) | Thomas Hart Benton
British Dictionary definitions for responsible
/ (rɪˈspɒnsəbəl) /
(postpositive usually foll by for) having control or authority (over)
(postpositive foll by to) being accountable for one's actions and decisions (to): to be responsible to one's commanding officer
(of a position, duty, etc) involving decision and accountability
(often foll by for) being the agent or cause (of some action): to be responsible for a mistake
able to take rational decisions without supervision; accountable for one's own actions: a responsible adult
able to meet financial obligations; of sound credit
Origin of responsible
1Derived forms of responsible
- responsibleness, noun
- responsibly, adverb
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
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