Sound-alike words

Liable vs. Libel

Liable is an adjective meaning legally responsible, or likely to do something. Libel is a noun for a false written statement that harms someone's reputation. You may be liable for damages if you publish libel.

Word	Part of speech	Meaning
liable	adjective	legally responsible for something, such as damage or a debt
liable	adjective	likely to do or experience something, usually something unwanted
libel	noun	a false written or published statement that damages a person's reputation

Liable

adjective: legally responsible for something, such as damage or a debt

Drivers are liable for any damage they cause to rental cars.
The landlord was found liable for the broken heater.

adjective: likely to do or experience something, usually something unwanted

This old ladder is liable to wobble, so hold it steady.
Babies are liable to wake up when the dog barks.

Libel

noun: a false written or published statement that damages a person's reputation

The newspaper printed a correction to avoid a libel case.
Posting lies about a neighbor online could count as libel.

How to remember the difference

Liable has an A, like answerable and at fault. Libel ends like label: a false label stuck on someone in print.

Good to know

Libel is written or published; false spoken statements are called slander. Libel can also be a verb (to libel someone). Liable usually points to an unwanted result, so many writers use likely for neutral predictions.

Spot the mistake

The store is ~~libel~~ liable for injuries on its icy steps.
Correct: The store is liable for injuries on its icy steps.
The actor sued the magazine for ~~liable.~~ libel.
Correct: The actor sued the magazine for libel.

Check yourself

Pick the word that fits each sentence.

1. If your dog bites someone, you could be for the medical bills.

2. The blog post was so false and harmful that it counted as .