1
2
as in responsibility
the state of being held as the cause of something that needs to be set right the liability for the accident is held by the person who was driving too fast

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in exposure
the state of being left without shelter or protection against something harmful failure to properly clean the wound could increase your liability to infection

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
5
as in debt
usually liabilities plural something (as money) which is owed your liabilities total about $200,000

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of liability In other words, Pina could not have known killing Dominguez would leave him exposed to a civil suit, because that liability hadn’t been established yet. Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025 The automakers' liability ballooned — and spooked Wall Street investors, Masters said. Jackie Charniga, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2025 As a Runs asset but an RBI liability, Arráez is your basic specialty play. Gene McCaffrey, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025 European banks continue to hold the bonds of their own governments, reflecting the reluctance of governments to allow revision of the regulations and procedures that have created a captive market for their own liabilities. Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for liability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for liability
Noun
  • The Magic’s ineptitude puts them at a severe disadvantage on most nights.
    Josh Robbins, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
  • On Reddit, a new mom ranted about how working conditions in corporate America put parents at a disadvantage.
    Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 21 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The sanctions threat came as Trump faces criticism for increasing pressure on Ukraine to reach a deal while playing down or even denying Russia’s responsibility for starting the war with its invasion three years ago.
    Aamer Madhani and Chris Megerian, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2025
  • After Congress passed the No Surprises Act in 2020, the office assumed additional responsibility for setting up and administering the complex process for protecting patients from surprise bills.
    Noam N. Levey, CNN, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • In severe cases, prolonged exposure can lead to brain damage, organ failure, or death.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
  • At the same time, Kelce has used his NFL platform as a launching pad into even wider mainstream pop culture exposure.
    Andrew Greif, NBC News, 27 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Yankees Lineup Questions Considering how many aging players the team relies on, their offseason didn’t reflect the likelihood of major injuries.
    Daniel R. Epstein, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
  • The likelihood of lightning increases as a thunderstorm gets closer and reaches its highest point when the storm is directly overhead.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • On February 25, the U.S. debt ceiling was raised by another $4 trillion.
    Marie Poteriaieva, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
  • When Wilson took over in late 2015, Bogus Basin was on a run of tough snow years, bleeding money and $8 million in debt.
    Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 28 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • In 1936, famed Olympic runner Jesse Owens raced a horse in a 100-yard dash and won thanks in part to a 40-yard handicap).
    Emily Barone, Time, 19 July 2017
  • LNK classes have done everything from installing handicap doors at Redwood to creating a Healthy Newborn site for Transitions that serves mothers going through addiction recovery.
    Brent Cooper, Cincinnati.com, 17 July 2017
Noun
  • Ever since the party managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in last year’s presidential race, Democratic leaders and key influencers have reverted to the circular firing squads of blame to which losing campaigns inevitably return.
    Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025
  • But to place the blame on the airframe and not the government's decisions on how to use it seems misplaced.
    Peter Suciu, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • At the end of January, when the 10-year yield was about 0.31 percentage point clear of the 3-month, the probability was just 23%.
    Jeff Cox, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2025
  • The European Space Agency shared a similar risk assessment of its own Tuesday, finding that the probability was .001%.
    Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Liability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/liability. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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