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What is the difference between accountable and answerable?

accountable | answerable |

Answerable is a synonym of accountable.



In lang=en terms the difference between accountable and answerable

is that accountable is capable of being accounted for; explicable; explainable while answerable is capable of being answered or refuted; admitting a satisfactory answer.

As adjectives the difference between accountable and answerable

is that accountable is having accountability (individuals have accountability); answerable while answerable is obliged to answer or be called to account ({{term|to}} somebody); accountable, responsible.

accountable

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Having accountability (individuals have accountability); answerable.
  • Requiring accountability (property or funds require accountability).
  • Liable to be called on to render an account;
  • Being answerable for.
  • Being liable for.
  • (rare) Capable of being accounted for; explicable; explainable.
  • *
  • Synonyms

    * amenable, responsible, liable, answerable

    See also

    * hold to account

    answerable

    English

    Alternative forms

    * aunswerable (obsolete)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Obliged to answer or be called to account ((to) somebody); accountable, responsible.
  • Will any man argue that . . . he can not be justly punished, but is answerable only to God? --Swift.
  • (archaic) Correspondent, in accordance; comparable ((to)).
  • What wit and policy of man is answerable to their discreet and orderly course? --Holland.
  • * 1644 , (John Milton), Aeropagitica :
  • To this revelation he assented the sooner, as he confesses, because it was answerable to that of the Apostle to the Thessalonians, Prove all things, hold fast that which is good.
  • Proportionate; commensurate in amount; suitable.
  • (rare) Capable of being answered or refuted; admitting a satisfactory answer.
  • The argument, though subtle, is yet answerable . --Johnson.

    Derived terms

    * answerability

    Antonyms

    * unanswerable