Liability — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˌlī-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē/ li·a·bil·i·ty

Meaning & Definition of Liability

Liability (noun)

  1. the quality or state of being liable
  2. probability
  3. something for which one is liable; especially, pecuniary obligation, debt —usually used in plural

Liability (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a feature of someone or something that creates difficulty for achieving success

    "though his small size is a liability as a football player, he makes up for it with speed"

    similar: debit, disadvantage, disbenefit, downside, drawback, handicap, incommodity, minus, negative, strike
    related: albatross, millstone, stranglehold, disability, impairment, failing, shortcoming, bar, catch, check, clog, crimp, embarrassment, hindrance, hitch, hurdle, impediment, interference, let, manacle, obstacle, obstruction, rub, shackle, stop, trammel
    opposite: advantage, asset, edge, plus
    near: vantage, head start, jump, lead, margin, start, ascendancy, better, command, control, drop, mastery, predominance, superiority, supremacy, transcendence, upper hand, prerogative, privilege, break, opportunity, aid, assistance, help

  2. 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"

    similar: blame, fault, responsibility
    related: accountability, answerability

  3. the state of being left without shelter or protection against something harmful

    "failure to properly clean the wound could increase your liability to infection"

    similar: exposure, openness, vulnerability
    related: predisposition, susceptibility, defenselessness, helplessness, weakness, danger, jeopardy, peril, risk
    near: protection, safeguarding, sheltering, shielding

  4. the quality or state of being likely to occur

    "what's the liability that he'll file a formal complaint if he's refused admission?"

    similar: likelihood, probability
    related: credibility, plausibility, plausibleness, feasibility, feasibleness, possibility, potentiality, reasonability, reasonableness, viability
    opposite: improbability, unlikelihood, unlikeliness
    near: doubtfulness, dubiousness, impracticability, impracticality, implausibility, incredibility, incredibleness

  5. something (as money) which is owed

    "your liabilities total about $200,000"

    similar: arrearage, arrears, debt, indebtedness, obligation, score
    related: bond, debit, delinquency, bankruptcy, default, embarrassment, insolvency
    near: quietus, quittance, repayment, asset

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Liability

The most common words with a similar meaning to Liability:

debit, disadvantage, disbenefit, downside, drawback, handicap, incommodity, minus, negative, strike, blame, fault, responsibility, exposure, openness, vulnerability, likelihood, probability, arrearage, arrears, debt, indebtedness, obligation, score

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Liability

Words with the opposite meaning of Liability:

advantage, asset, edge, plus, improbability, unlikelihood, unlikeliness

Related Words for Liability

albatross, millstone, stranglehold, disability, impairment, failing, shortcoming, bar, catch, check, clog, crimp, embarrassment, hindrance, hitch, hurdle, impediment, interference, let, manacle, obstacle, obstruction, rub, shackle, stop, trammel, accountability, answerability, predisposition, susceptibility

Near Antonyms of Liability

vantage, head start, jump, lead, margin, start, ascendancy, better, command, control, drop, mastery, predominance, superiority, supremacy, transcendence, upper hand, prerogative, privilege, break, opportunity, aid, assistance, help, protection, safeguarding, sheltering, shielding, doubtfulness, dubiousness

Word Forms of Liability

Inflections: liabilities

Origin & Etymology of Liability

First known use: 1705

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Liability

  • Topics: Business & Economics

Words & Phrases Containing Liability

limited liability, limited liability partnership, strict liability

Frequently Asked Questions about Liability

What does "Liability" mean?

"Liability" means the quality or state of being liable. As a noun, it is defined as: the quality or state of being liable. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Liability"?

Other words for "Liability" include debit, disadvantage, disbenefit, downside, drawback, handicap, incommodity and minus. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Liability" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Liability"?

There are 76 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Liability". Common alternatives include debit, disadvantage, disbenefit, downside, drawback, handicap, incommodity, minus, negative and strike.

What is the opposite of "Liability"?

Antonyms of "Liability" include advantage, asset, edge, plus, improbability, unlikelihood and unlikeliness. Near antonyms include vantage, head start, jump and lead.

How do you use "Liability" in a sentence?

Examples of "Liability" in a sentence: "though his small size is a liability as a football player, he makes up for it with speed"; "the liability for the accident is held by the person who was driving too fast"; "failure to properly clean the wound could increase your liability to infection".

Is "Liability" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Liability" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Liability"?

"Liability" is pronounced /ˌlī-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē/ and divided into syllables as li·a·bil·i·ty.

What is the origin of the word "Liability"?

First known use: 1705.