responsibility
8 synonyms and 0 antonyms for responsibility, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The state of being accountable for something, or the duty to deal with it.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use responsibility
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
Formed in English from responsible plus -ity.
Full origin of responsibility →Frequently asked questions
What does “responsibility” mean?
The word “responsibility” means the state of being accountable for something, or the duty to deal with it. In plain terms, being the person who is in charge of, or accountable for, something.
How do you pronounce “responsibility”?
“Responsibility” is pronounced rih-spon-suh-BIHL-ih-tee (/ɹɪˌspɑn.səˈbɪl.ə.ti/ in IPA).
How do you use “responsibility” in a sentence?
Here is “responsibility” used in a sentence: “As team leader, she has responsibility for the whole project.”
What is another word for “responsibility”?
Words with a similar meaning to “responsibility” include responsibleness.
What part of speech is “responsibility”?
“Responsibility” is a noun.
Is “responsibility” a common word?
“Responsibility” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between responsibility and accountability?
Responsibility is the duty to do a task or take care of something — the ongoing job of handling it. Accountability is answering for the outcome once it's done, taking the credit or the blame. You can share responsibility across a team, but accountability usually rests with one person who owns the result.
What are the types of responsibility?
Common kinds include personal responsibility (your own choices and duties), professional responsibility (obligations at work), legal responsibility (duties enforced by law), moral responsibility (answering for right and wrong), and collective or social responsibility (shared duties toward a group or society). Most people carry several of these at once.
Can responsibility be taught?
Yes. Responsibility is widely regarded as a learned trait rather than an inborn one. Children develop it through chores, consequences, and trust given gradually. Adults strengthen it by taking ownership of tasks and honoring commitments. Because it grows with practice and accountability, both parents and workplaces actively cultivate it.
Why is responsibility important?
Responsibility builds trust, since people rely on those who follow through on their duties. It underpins teamwork, safety, and fairness, because shared tasks only work when each person owns their part. On a personal level, taking responsibility gives you control over outcomes rather than leaving them to chance or blame.