culpable

/'kʌlpəbl/

Thân thiện

The manager was culpable for the accounting error.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Deserving blame or censure: The word "culpable" describes someone or something that is worthy of blame, criticism, or condemnation for being wrong, evil, or harmful. It implies a degree of fault or responsibility for a negative outcome or action.

Usage

"culpable" is used to assign moral or legal responsibility. It often appears in formal, legal, or serious ethical discussions to indicate that a person or entity is at fault. It is typically followed by the preposition "for" (e.g., culpable for the accident).

Examples

• The investigation found the manager culpable for the safety violations that led to the fire.
• He was held culpable in the court of public opinion, even if he was never formally charged.
• Ignoring the repeated warnings made the company culpable in the environmental disaster.

Advanced Usage

• "culpable negligence": A legal term for a degree of carelessness so severe it constitutes a breach of duty and makes one legally responsible for the consequences.
  • The doctor was sued for culpable negligence after the botched surgery.
• "morally culpable": Used to emphasize ethical blameworthiness rather than strictly legal liability.
  • Even if it wasn't illegal, she felt morally culpable for her friend's distress.

Variants and Related Words

• Culpability (noun): The state of being culpable; blameworthiness.
  • The report questioned the culpability of senior officials.
• Culpably (adverb): In a culpable manner.
  • He acted culpably by withholding the evidence.

Synonyms

• Blameworthy: Deserving blame.
• Censurable: Deserving strong disapproval.
• Reprehensible: Deserving censure or condemnation.
• At fault: Responsible for a mistake or error.

Antonyms

• Blameless: Free from blame; innocent.
• Irreproachable: Beyond criticism; faultless.
• Innocent: Not guilty of a crime or offense.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• To hold someone culpable: To formally consider or declare someone responsible and deserving of blame.
  • The committee will hold him culpable for the financial losses.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. deserving blame or censure as being wrong or evil or injurious
   • blameworthy if not criminal behavior
   • censurable misconduct
   • culpable negligence

Từ đồng nghĩa

• blameworthy
• blamable
• blameable
• blameful
• censurable