blameworthy

American  

[bleym-wur-thee] / ˈbleɪmˌwɜr ði /

adjective

1. deserving blame; blameful.

   a blameworthy administration.

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blameworthy British  

/ ˈbleɪmˌwɜːðɪ /

adjective

1. deserving disapproval or censure

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Usage

What does blameworthy mean? Blameworthy is used to describe someone or something that deserves to be blamed for something negative that has happened. To blame someone for something is to accuse them of having caused it or to hold them responsible for it. The word blame is always used in the context of something bad that happened—you don’t blame someone for something good. However, when someone is blamed for something, it doesn’t mean they are guilty of it—it simply means they are being accused of being guilty of it. The word blame can also be used as a noun referring to the responsibility for something negative that happened. This is how the word is used in the phrase assign blame. As a noun, blame can also mean the disapproval, condemnation, or criticism for something bad that happened, as in He deserves most of the blame for the loss. Calling a person blameworthy indicates the belief that they are responsible for what happened and that they should receive the criticism for having caused it. The word blameful means the same thing as blameworthy but is less commonly used. Example: Those who participated in the fraud should be held responsible, but those who knew about it and did nothing are also blameworthy.

Other Word Forms

• blameworthiness noun

Etymology

Origin of blameworthy

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at blame, worthy

Example Sentences

Something we realized early on was how this book could be construed as a finger-pointing exercise, but we knew it would be far more complex and less blameworthy.

From Salon • Jan. 24, 2022

But to be fair, China's not quite as blameworthy as it seems.

From BBC • Sep. 17, 2021

Our obligations to members of our society don’t end just because they do something that is dangerous, even blameworthy.

From Slate • Aug. 3, 2021

The most complicated character in this story may be Mimi — who is at turns sympathetic and blameworthy.

From Washington Post • Apr. 7, 2020

This vice, however, should not appear as blameworthy as that of avarice.

From Elements of Morals With Special Application of the Moral Law to the Duties of the Individual and of Society and the State by Janet, Paul