1 answerability | Definition of answerability
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answerable

adjective
an·​swer·​able | \ ˈan(t)-s(É™-)rÉ™-bÉ™l How to pronounce answerable (audio) \

Definition of answerable

1 : liable to be called to account : responsible The specialists who design the programs work for and are answerable to distant development agencies.— Samia Altaf The Fed's prestige is back up, and meanwhile we have a Congress that is elected and is answerable to the people …— Adam Smith
2 : capable of being answered or refuted There has been a controversy on the question of whether the species was genetically closer to the horse or to the zebra. This question may possibly be answerable now that DNA from the three species is available for comparison.— Harold M. Schmeck Jr. an answerable assertion
3 archaic : suitable, adequate
4 archaic : corresponding, similar
Other Words from answerable Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about answerable

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Other Words from answerable

answerability \ ËŒan(t)-​s(É™-​)rÉ™-​ˈbi-​lÉ™-​tÄ“ How to pronounce answerability (audio) \ noun

Choose the Right Synonym for answerable

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 answerable in a Sentence

a powerful businesswoman who seems to think that she's answerable to no one you are answerable for your own conduct at all times

Recent Examples on the Web

 John was soon made chief eye, answerable only to the chairman and the priest. — Sean Williams, Harper's magazine, "The Black Axe," 19 Aug. 2019 The city charter was amended during Robertson’s tenure, making the city manager the effective head of city government, rather than the mayor, and answerable to mayor and City Council. — David Anderson, baltimoresun.com, "Aberdeen city manager gets two-year contract extension, $13,000 raise," 15 Aug. 2019 These new-age apps, advocates say, would be more answerable to users and outside the control of internet giants like Google and Facebook. — Klint Finley, WIRED, "The WIRED Guide to the Blockchain," 9 July 2019 The dispute raises some troubling, and not yet fully answerable questions. — Feargus O'sullivan, WIRED, "The Notre Dame Fire Spread Toxic Lead Dust Over Paris," 1 Aug. 2019 Police said the alleged kidnappers had communicated with Tom Hagen by means of a digital platform that was not answerable. — Fox News, "Norwegian tycoon's wife abduction may have been faked, was likely killed, police say," 26 June 2019 Consultants at all times are answerable to DOT staff. — Jon Lender, courant.com, "Jon Lender: DOT engineering/inspection contract for Arrigoni Bridge goes to group that did design work for Florida pedestrian bridge that collapsed," 3 July 2019 Rodriguez announced on Wednesday that questions about a motive for the Sunday, June 9th shooting of the 43-year-old retired slugger aren’t answerable because Ortiz wasn’t the intended target. — Michael Mccann, SI.com, "David Ortiz Shooting Draws More Questions in Alleged Case Of Mistaken Identity," 19 June 2019 The stated premise is to build a school culture in which everybody is answerable to everyone else. — Danny Westneat, The Seattle Times, "‘Up there to humiliate:’ Seattle school’s detention list sparks debate about shaming," 30 Mar. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'answerable.' 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 answerable

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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More Definitions for answerable

answerable

adjective
How to pronounce answerable (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of answerable

: required to explain actions or decisions to someone
: responsible for something
: capable of being answered

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

answerable

adjective
an·​swer·​able | \ ˈan-sÉ™-rÉ™-bÉ™l How to pronounce answerable (audio) \

Kids Definition of answerable

1 : responsible sense 1 You are answerable for your actions.
2 : possible to answer an answerable question

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More from Merriam-Webster on answerable

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for answerable

Spanish Central: Translation of answerable

Nglish: Translation of answerable for Spanish Speakers

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