D
Dicread
HomeDictionaryIirresponsibility

irresponsibility

lack of reliability / lack of accountability
Noun

This term carries a strong negative connotation, typically describing a character flaw or a systemic failure to meet expectations. It suggests a reckless disregard for consequences, often contrasting with the maturity and reliability expected in professional or familial roles. In legal contexts, the word shifts from a moral judgment to a technical status. It describes a lack of capacity or agency, where an individual is deemed unable to be held accountable for their actions due to mental impairment or other mitigating factors.

Meanings

Noun

The quality of lacking a sense of duty or the failure to be reliable in performing one's obligations.

"His total irresponsibility led to the collapse of the family business."

Noun

The state of not being legally or morally accountable for one's actions or decisions.

"The lawyer argued that the defendant's mental state resulted in complete legal irresponsibility for the crime."

Related Words

Last Updated: June 13, 2026Report an Error