culpability

[ kuhl-puh-bil-i-tee ]

noun

1. guilt or blame that is deserved; blameworthiness.

Other Words From

• noncul·pa·bili·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of culpability¹

culpabl(e) + -ity

Example Sentences

“This is a high culpability case because of the high number of breaches,” said Mr Eardley.

From BBC

Nickels insinuated that the scientists behind such research “have blood on their hands or culpability in some level.”

From Los Angeles Times

When I challenged him, suggesting he was simply seeking to present himself as a victim to avoid culpability, he insisted that was not the case.

From BBC

In essence, it’s a call for the authorities to clarify exactly what happened to their children that night on 26 September 2014, to admit full culpability and to prosecute those involved.

From BBC

While climate change deniers seize on external variables like these to cast doubt on humanity’s culpability in the current crisis, they ignore the broader context about our planet’s history.”

From Salon

Related Words

• accountability
• guilt

More About Culpability

What does culpability mean?

Culpability is the quality of being culpable—deserving blame for a crime or wrongdoing.

When someone is described as culpable for something, it means it’s their fault or that they are guilty of it. Culpability is the guilt or blame that a person deserves.

The words culpable and culpability are typically used in serious legal contexts involving crimes.

Example: It’s the job of a jury to assign or reject culpability for a crime.

Where does culpability come from?

Culpability is based on culpable, which is first recorded around 1300. It ultimately comes from the Latin verb culpāre, meaning “to hold liable,” from the Latin culpa, meaning “blame.” Culpa also appears in the Latin phrase mea culpa, meaning “my fault.”

You have culpability for something that has gone wrong when you’re somehow responsible for it. Even if you weren’t the one who directly caused harm, you could still be considered legally culpable if you had some role in it. For example, if it was your responsibility to ensure the safety of others by inspecting equipment and you neglected to do so, you could be held culpable if people were hurt as a result of your negligence.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to culpability?

• culpable (adjective)

What are some synonyms for culpability?

• culpableness
• responsibility
• liability
• guilt
• blameworthiness

What are some words that share a root or word element with culpability? 

• culpable homicide
• mea culpa
• culpa

What are some words that often get used in discussing culpability?

• fault
• negligence
• party
• action
• defendant
• criminal
• behavior
• accountable

How is culpability used in real life?

Culpability is usually used in a very serious way. It’s especially used in a legal context.

We applaud the court ruling ordering Iran to compensate the family of Robert Levinson. While no dollar amount will reverse the pain they have had to endure for more than 13 years, it is a welcome affirmation of Iran’s culpability for his disappearance.https://t.co/jp1c058AMP

— NSC 45 Archived (@WHNSC45) October 7, 2020

High Court rules that Bawa-Garba must be struck off the UK medical register to maintain public confidence in the profession, saying “the holes in the patient’s safety net cannot reduce her personal culpability” https://t.co/fwYrynRiMa pic.twitter.com/yB9cj9Uvc6

— The BMJ (@bmj_latest) January 26, 2018

When you have a chronic inability to admit when you’re wrong; When you always double down and blame others for your mistakes; you lose the social capital n credibility to call on others to apologize, admit wrong or accept culpability. You lose your ability to hold ppl to account.

— Dennis M Brooks (@dennisbroox) March 22, 2020

 

 

Try using culpability!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of culpability?

A. liability
B. responsibility
C. illegality
D. blameworthiness