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Definition of liabilitynext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 His loudness and obnoxiousness are personal liabilities that can become functional assets for the rest of the cast. Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026 Ballet flats, in particular, are treated as a seasonal liability rather than a styling asset. Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 9 Jan. 2026 Directors risk personal liability by not meeting these three requirements. Kelly G. Richardson, Oc Register, 9 Jan. 2026 This may be a massive legal liability for AI companies—one that could potentially cost the industry billions of dollars in copyright-infringement judgments, and lead products to be taken off the market. Alex Reisner, The Atlantic, 9 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for liability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for liability
Noun
  • The Patriots have a clear kicking disadvantage in this one.
    Daniel Popper, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
  • In some ways, The Pitt’s breakout first season put it at a disadvantage going into the second.
    Judy Berman, Time, 8 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Bison have carried their stories, teachings, and responsibilities for centuries.
    Marissa Perlman, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026
  • By 2030, the company expects Atlas to take on more complex responsibilities, including repetitive and heavy-load assembly work.
    Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The sensor can record long and short exposures simultaneously, improving sharpness when subjects move.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 Jan. 2026
  • Smith said that the increase in disaster costs is driven by greater exposure and vulnerability to extreme events, as well as by certain hazard types becoming more frequent or intense due to the influence of climate change.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 10 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • In all likelihood, Cristobal and the assistant coach shared a long embrace as the Hurricanes celebrated.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026
  • More recent studies, listed on the CDC’s website as of Friday, also show that flu shots reduce the likelihood that children will get very sick from flu.
    Erika Edwards, NBC news, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Farmers were up to the task, because the value of their land was skyrocketing, and many bankers encouraged them to take on large amounts of debt to increase the size of their operations (a move that would come back to haunt them during the farm crisis of the 1980s).
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026
  • The review will also examine ongoing litigation with the county over the city’s $18 million unpaid water debt and identify quick, cost-effective solutions for residents.
    Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 12 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • While Benthaus was the first person with a significant physical handicap to fly in space, European Space Agency astronaut John McFall, who has a prosthetic leg, has been cleared for selection to a future flight to the International Space Station.
    William Harwood, CBS News, 20 Dec. 2025
  • There were 13 handicap spaces spread around the auditoriums at Regal Falls.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 19 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • Israel and Hamas have traded blame over the violations of the deal.
    Reuters, NBC news, 11 Jan. 2026
  • On the five-year anniversary this week, the White House launched a web page casting blame on Democrats, then-Vice President Mike Pence, and Capitol Police for the violence that transpired that day.
    Justin Papp, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • This move highlights vulnerabilities in the technology supply chain, affecting automakers like Honda, which halted production at a Mexican factory.
    Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Her son's vulnerability precipitated some of those words.
    Jim Riccioli, jsonline.com, 8 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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