adjective
culpable
KUL-puh-bul/ˈkʌlpəbl/
Deserving blame for doing something wrong.
The culpable worker raises a hand to admit spilling coffee over the papers.
Etymology
From Latin culpare, “to blame,” the adjective expresses being worthy of blame. It judges a person's conduct as carrying responsibility for a fault.
In context
he who assumes too much on his own Merit shows that he does not understand the simplest principles of politeness the feeling of pride is of itself highly culpable
More examples
- Both drivers were equally culpable for the crash.
- Investigators found evidence of culpable negligence at the factory.
- She feels culpable because she knowingly approved the false report.
Forms
culpable
culpability noun — The state of deserving blame.
culpably adverb — In a way that deserves blame.
Similar words
- blameworthy
- A close alternative with less legal or formal emphasis.
- guilty
- Often indicates actual wrongdoing or conviction, rather than deserving blame.