accountability

noun

ac·count·abil·i·ty ə-ˌkau̇n-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē

Synonyms of accountability

: the quality or state of being accountable

… the CFO has ultimate accountability for maintaining the books and records of the company …—The Motley Fool

especially : an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one's actions

demanded more accountability from public officials

The … quarterback did take accountability for his play … recognizing it as an error that can't happen at this level. —Steven Corder

Examples of accountability in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

That’s how the players hold accountability for each other, and that’s how our coaches also push us. — ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026 Brown’s remarks will come as CMS board members prepare for another meeting focused on leadership, accountability and the fallout from former Superintendent Crystal Hill’s firing. — Charlotte Observer, 12 Oct. 2026 City council member Michael Crain said that this accountability was key to the details officials are hoping to receive. — Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Oct. 2026 The number of swing House seats nationally—already at a low ebb—could shrink to as low as the teens, insulating most members of Congress from routine electoral accountability. — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for accountability

Word History

Etymology

accountable + -ity

First Known Use

1750, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of accountability was in 1750

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

account

accountability

accountable

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Accountability.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accountability. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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accountability

noun

Examples of accountability in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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