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accountable

adjective
ac·​count·​able | \ É™-ˈkau̇n-tÉ™-bÉ™l How to pronounce accountable (audio) \

Definition of accountable

1 : subject to giving an account : answerable held her accountable for the damage
2 : capable of being explained : explainable … leaving aside variations accountable as printer's errors …— Peter Shaw
Other Words from accountable Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about accountable

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Other Words from accountable

accountableness \ -​ˈkau̇n-​tÉ™-​bÉ™l-​nÉ™s How to pronounce accountableness (audio) \ noun
accountably \ -​blÄ“ How to pronounce accountably (audio) \ adverb

Choose the Right Synonym for accountable

responsible, answerable, accountable, amenable, liable mean subject to being held to account. 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

Examples of accountable in a Sentence

If anything goes wrong I will hold you personally accountable! the owner was held accountable for his dog's biting of the child

Recent Examples on the Web

 Another potential moment of restorative justice stolen from women who just wanted a powerful man to be held accountable. — Glamour, "Pay Less Attention to Jeffrey Epstein’s Death and More to What His Accusers Need Now," 13 Aug. 2019 Several startups and nonprofit organizations are capitalizing on this technological shift with the goal of helping companies understand the emissions levels of their business operations, and holding the worst polluters accountable. — Jeremy Hsu, Scientific American, "Private Space Race Targets Greenhouse Gas Emitters," 31 July 2019 Malaysia’s foreign ministry says Myanmar’s government must be accountable for alleged human rights abuse against the Muslim Rohingya minority so that the hundreds of thousands who fled a brutal military crackdown can return safely to the country. — Washington Post, "Malaysia: Myanmar must be accountable for Rohingya to return," 30 July 2019 The head of the BLM is supposed to be nominated by the President, confirmed by the Senate, and accountable to the public. — Wes Siler, Outside Online, "The Turmoil at the BLM Is Threatening Public Lands," 30 July 2019 Managers are crucial for training and mentoring new social workers, and for holding them accountable for deadlines in filing case assessments. — Matt Stiles, Los Angeles Times, "Palmdale boy’s death prompts changes at child welfare agency. But questions remain," 24 July 2019 The second is to make residents be accountable, because those who don’t buy into the protective measures threaten the entire community. — AZCentral.com, "At the base of a canyon, every fire season can be a gamble," 23 July 2019 It was always understood that chaotic market forces were slamming against their front door and that everyone would be accountable for their reactions. — Christopher Leonard, Harper's magazine, "Charles in Charge," 22 July 2019 At the same time, governments across Europe are pressuring airlines to be more accountable: The French government recently called for EU executives to end a global tax exemption for jet fuel to reduce air travel and, in turn, emissions. — Natasha Frost, Quartz, "The Netherlands’ national airline is encouraging people not to fly," 4 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'accountable.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of accountable

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for accountable

Middle English accountable, accomptable, borrowed from Anglo-French acomptable, from acunter "to account entry 2" + -able -able

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More Definitions for accountable

accountable

adjective
How to pronounce accountable (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of accountable

: required to explain actions or decisions to someone
: required to be responsible for something

See the full definition for accountable in the English Language Learners Dictionary

accountable

adjective
ac·​count·​able | \ É™-ˈkȧun-tÉ™-bÉ™l\

Kids Definition of accountable

1 : required to explain actions or decisions The mayor is accountable to the city's residents.
2 : responsible sense 1 You're accountable for your mistakes.

accountable

adjective
ac·​count·​able | \ É™-ˈkau̇n-tÉ™-bÉ™l How to pronounce accountable (audio) \

Legal Definition of accountable

1 : liable accountable for the burglary
2 : obliged to accept responsibility the bank accountable for payment of the check

Other Words from accountable

accountability \ É™-​ËŒkau̇n-​tÉ™-​ˈbi-​lÉ™-​tÄ“ How to pronounce accountability (audio) \ noun

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