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Definition of blameworthynext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word blameworthy different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of blameworthy are blamable, culpable, and guilty. While all these words mean "deserving reproach or punishment," blameworthy and blamable apply to any degree of reprehensibility.

conduct adjudged blameworthy
an accident for which no one is blamable

When might culpable be a better fit than blameworthy?

Although the words culpable and blameworthy have much in common, culpable is weaker than guilty and is likely to connote malfeasance or errors of ignorance, omission, or negligence.

culpable neglect

When is guilty a more appropriate choice than blameworthy?

The words guilty and blameworthy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, guilty implies responsibility for or consciousness of crime, sin, or, at the least, grave error or misdoing.

guilty of a breach of etiquette

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 blameworthy As the shutdown goes on, moreover, the polling on which side is more to blame seems to be gradually shifting toward Democrats as the more blameworthy side. Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025 His Stoic Challenge framework invites you to see a setback not as something terrible, blameworthy or unfair but instead as a test of your ingenuity and resilience. Hanna Hart, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025 But Miss Manners acknowledges that there is also the less blameworthy impulse to offer comfort — not just sympathy — when there is no real comfort to be offered. Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2025 To highlight the hazy line between blameworthy and praiseworthy failure, Edmondson routinely asks leaders to estimate the percentage of blameworthy mistakes in their organizations. Ann Kowal Smith, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2023 Additionally, studies show that people often direct retribution toward groups rather than individuals, such that people seeking revenge consider all Israelis or all Palestinians to be collectively blameworthy for the most extreme actions of a small number of people. Joshua Rottman, Scientific American, 20 Nov. 2023 On the whole, Google's spam filter, though in this instance imperfect, is not morally blameworthy. Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, 25 Aug. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blameworthy
Adjective
  • Right Arrow The man accused of planting pipe bombs outside the Democratic and Republican parties' headquarters five years ago pleaded not guilty in a court appearance on Friday.
    Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 11 Jan. 2026
  • She was found not guilty by reason of insanity.
    KC Baker, PEOPLE, 11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Jurors found Texas blogger Milagro Cooper culpable of defamation, and has been ordered to pay Megan Thee Stallion, whose real name is Megan Pete, $75,000.
    Steven Yablonski, CBS News, 1 Dec. 2025
  • As much as those who exploited Holocaust memory and human-rights discourse for potential gain, the anti-totalitarians are culpable for the near-total breakdown of political and moral norms today.
    Victor J. Blue, Harpers Magazine, 23 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • So to be there, back in my home state, to cover something that was just so unthinkable, reprehensible, that's always stayed with me, just talking to people in the days and hours after that tragedy.
    Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Oct. 2025
  • All hate crimes are reprehensible.
    Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Sharing unauthorized information about Vladimir Putin’s Ukraine war is punishable by up to 15 years’ imprisonment.
    Max Hastings, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2026
  • The bill does not mention keeping packages meant for another person delivered to your address, but federal law says keeping a package addressed to someone else is considered mail theft and is punishable by up to $250,000 in fines or up to five years in prison.
    Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 9 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Blameworthy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blameworthy. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on blameworthy

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