noun

culpability

kul-puh-BIL-uh-tee/ˌkʌlpəˈbɪləti/

Responsibility for wrongdoing.

The builder acknowledges culpability for the unsecured ladder that broke the window.

A careless builder acknowledges an unsecured ladder that fell and broke a window, physical evidence of responsibility, no injuries.

Etymology

culpLatinto blame

+abilLatinworthy of; capable of

+ityLatinstate or quality

The pieces build from “blame” to “worthy of blame” and then to the state of being blameworthy. This turns a judgment about conduct into a noun for the responsibility attached to it.

In context

Lex Fridman48:42

you've got some culpability in that and you're just trying to avoid paying the part of the bill that's what's going on

Brett Johnson: US Most Wanted Cybercriminal | Lex Fridman Podcast #272

More examples

She denies any culpability for the missing funds.
Prosecutors must establish criminal culpability before seeking a conviction.
The report assigns different degrees of culpability to the officials involved.

Forms

culpable adjective — Deserving blame for doing wrong.

Similar words

guilt: Can also describe remorse, rather than responsibility for wrongdoing.
blame: Can mean criticism directed at someone, not established responsibility.
responsibility: Broader than culpability; can involve duties without any wrongdoing.