Liable — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈlī-ə-bəl/ li·a·ble

Meaning & Definition of Liable

Liable (adjective)

  1. obligated according to law or equity, responsible
  2. subject to appropriation or attachment
  3. being in a position to incur —used with to

Liable (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. being in a situation where one is likely to meet with harm

    "because of his frail constitution, he's liable to diseases"

    similar: endangered, exposed, open, sensitive, subject (to), susceptible, vulnerable, at risk, in deep water, in jeopardy
    related: likely, prone, uncovered, undefended, unguarded, unprotected, unscreened, unsecured
    opposite: insusceptible, invulnerable, unexposed, unsusceptible
    near: covered, guarded, protected, safeguarded, screened, secured, sheltered, shielded, warded

  2. being the one who must meet an obligation or suffer the consequences for failing to do so

    "the owner of a pet is liable for any damage that that pet might do"

    similar: accountable, amenable, answerable, responsible
    related: beholden, indebted, obligated, obliged
    opposite: irresponsible, nonaccountable, unaccountable
    near: exempt, immune

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Liable

The most common words with a similar meaning to Liable:

endangered, exposed, open, sensitive, subject (to), susceptible, vulnerable, accountable, amenable, answerable, responsible, at risk, in deep water, in jeopardy

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Liable

Words with the opposite meaning of Liable:

insusceptible, invulnerable, unexposed, unsusceptible, irresponsible, nonaccountable, unaccountable

Related Words for Liable

likely, prone, uncovered, undefended, unguarded, unprotected, unscreened, unsecured, beholden, indebted, obligated, obliged

Near Antonyms of Liable

covered, guarded, protected, safeguarded, screened, secured, sheltered, shielded, warded, exempt, immune

Origin & Etymology of Liable

Middle English lyable, from Anglo-French *liable, from lier to bind, from Latin ligare ligature

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Liable

Frequently Asked Questions about Liable

What does "Liable" mean?

"Liable" means obligated according to law or equity, responsible. As an adjective, it is defined as: obligated according to law or equity, responsible. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Liable"?

Other words for "Liable" include endangered, exposed, open, sensitive, subject (to), susceptible, vulnerable and accountable. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Liable" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Liable"?

There are 26 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Liable". Common alternatives include endangered, exposed, open, sensitive, subject (to), susceptible, vulnerable, accountable, amenable and answerable.

What is the opposite of "Liable"?

Antonyms of "Liable" include insusceptible, invulnerable, unexposed, unsusceptible, irresponsible, nonaccountable and unaccountable. Near antonyms include covered, guarded, protected and safeguarded.

How do you use "Liable" in a sentence?

Examples of "Liable" in a sentence: "because of his frail constitution, he's liable to diseases"; "the owner of a pet is liable for any damage that that pet might do".

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

"Liable" is an adjective.

Is "Liable" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Liable" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Liable"?

"Liable" is pronounced /ˈlī-ə-bəl/ and divided into syllables as li·a·ble.