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liable

adjective
li·​a·​ble | \ ˈlÄ«-É™-bÉ™l How to pronounce liable (audio) , especially in sense 2 often ˈlÄ«-bÉ™l\

Definition of liable

1a : obligated according to law or equity (see equity sense 3) : responsible liable for the debts incurred by his wife
b : subject to appropriation or attachment All his property is liable to pay his debts.
2a : being in a position to incur —used with to liable to a fine
b : exposed or subject to some usually adverse contingency or action watch out or you're liable to fall
Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Liable vs. Apt: Usage Guide More Example Sentences Learn More about liable

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Choose the Right Synonym for liable

liable, open, exposed, subject, prone, susceptible, sensitive mean being by nature or through circumstances likely to experience something adverse. liable implies a possibility or probability of incurring something because of position, nature, or particular situation. liable to get lost open stresses a lack of barriers preventing incurrence. a claim open to question exposed suggests lack of protection or powers of resistance against something actually present or threatening. exposed to infection subject implies an openness for any reason to something that must be suffered or undergone. all reports are subject to review prone stresses natural tendency or propensity to incur something. prone to delay susceptible implies conditions existing in one's nature or individual constitution that make incurrence probable. very susceptible to flattery sensitive implies a readiness to respond to or be influenced by forces or stimuli. unduly sensitive to criticism

synonyms see in addition responsible

Liable vs. Apt: Usage Guide

Both liable and apt when followed by an infinitive are used nearly interchangeably with likely. Although conflicting advice has been given over the years, most current commentators accept apt when so used. They generally recommend limiting liable to situations having an undesirable outcome, and our evidence shows that in edited writing it is more often so used than not.

Examples of liable in a Sentence

If someone gets hurt on your property, you could be liable. because of his frail constitution, he's liable to diseases

Recent Examples on the Web

 In the course of the Cold War, anti-Communism was liable to dissolve into anti-anti-Communism. — David Pryce-jones, National Review, "The Cold War of Words," 22 Aug. 2019 One tricky legal issue is whether Goldman is liable for the $2.7bn that was stolen from the bond-sale proceeds. — The Economist, "Malaysia charges 17 Goldman Sachs executives," 15 Aug. 2019 The team also used computer models to estimate the risk posed to farmers working on the plot, who are liable to be exposed to radiation through inhalation or accidental ingestion of the soil. — Brigit Katz, Smithsonian, "Why Scientists Are Making Vodka in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone," 8 Aug. 2019 Sites can moderate content — set their own rules for what is and what is not allowed — without being liable for everything posted by visitors. — Daisuke Wakabayashi, New York Times, "Legal Shield for Websites Rattles Under Onslaught of Hate Speech," 6 Aug. 2019 The city noted Eckhardt is liable for violations because of his ownership interests in the properties. — Tracy Swartz, chicagotribune.com, "‘Windy City Rehab’ in limbo as city upholds suspension decisions," 29 July 2019 But the agency abstained from pursuing even greater punishments like a substantially larger fine and finding CEO Mark Zuckerberg personally liable. — Makena Kelly, The Verge, "FTC hits Facebook with $5 billion fine and new privacy checks," 24 July 2019 The agreement stopped short of more punitive measures that the FTC had previously discussed against Facebook, including holding chief executive Mark Zuckerberg personally liable for missteps and potentially taking the company to court. — Mike Isaac, BostonGlobe.com, "Facebook agrees to extensive new oversight as part of $5b settlement," 24 July 2019 Casey, by contrast, is muted and robotic, given to skittishness and liable to fully shut down when threatened. — David Sims, The Atlantic, "The Art of Self-Defense," 19 July 2019

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

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for liable

Middle English lyable, from Anglo-French *liable, from lier to bind, from Latin ligare — more at ligature

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More Definitions for liable

liable

adjective
How to pronounce liable (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of liable

: legally responsible for something
: likely to be affected or harmed by something
: likely to do something

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

liable

adjective
li·​a·​ble | \ ˈlÄ«-É™-bÉ™l How to pronounce liable (audio) \

Kids Definition of liable

1 : likely sense 1 It's liable to rain.
2 : judged by law to be responsible for something We are liable for damage that we do.
3 : not sheltered or protected (as from danger or accident) liable to injury

liable

adjective
li·​a·​ble | \ ˈlÄ«-É™-bÉ™l How to pronounce liable (audio) \

Legal Definition of liable

1 : answerable according to law : bound or obligated according to law or equity

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