blameless
Describes someone who has done nothing wrong and cannot be held responsible for a bad situation or mistake. It is often used to emphasize a person's innocence or their morally upright character.
Examples
3 of 5The investigation concluded that the driver was blameless in the unfortunate accident.
The investigation concluded that the driver was blameless in the unfortunate accident.
He has led a blameless life, always helping his neighbors and working hard.
He has led a blameless life, always helping his neighbors and working hard.
Don't look at me like that; I'm blameless for the mess in the kitchen!
Don't look at me like that; I'm blameless for the mess in the kitchen!
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Focus on the suffix: Blame + Less. If you have 'less' blame than anyone else, you have zero blame—you are innocent.
Quick Quiz
Despite the harsh accusations from the media, the internal audit found the manager to be ________ for the loss of funds.
Correct!
The correct answer is: blameless
Examples
The investigation concluded that the driver was blameless in the unfortunate accident.
formalThe investigation concluded that the driver was blameless in the unfortunate accident.
He has led a blameless life, always helping his neighbors and working hard.
everydayHe has led a blameless life, always helping his neighbors and working hard.
Don't look at me like that; I'm blameless for the mess in the kitchen!
informalDon't look at me like that; I'm blameless for the mess in the kitchen!
The research suggests that the indigenous population was blameless for the initial ecological decline.
academicThe research suggests that the indigenous population was blameless for the initial ecological decline.
Our legal team will argue that the company is entirely blameless regarding the contractual delay.
businessOur legal team will argue that the company is entirely blameless regarding the contractual delay.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
to be held blameless
to be held blameless
not entirely blameless
not entirely blameless
a blameless reputation
a blameless reputation
Often Confused With
Faultless means perfect or without any errors in performance, while blameless specifically refers to lack of guilt or moral responsibility.
Innocent is a general state of not being guilty; blameless is often used to emphasize that one should not be criticized for a specific event.
Usage Notes
Blameless is frequently used with the verb 'lead' (as in 'lead a blameless life') or following linking verbs like 'be' or 'seem'. It often takes the preposition 'for' to indicate the specific situation (e.g., blameless for the error).
Common Mistakes
Learners often try to use 'unblameable', which is much less common and sounds unnatural in modern English compared to 'blameless'.
Memory Tip
Focus on the suffix: Blame + Less. If you have 'less' blame than anyone else, you have zero blame—you are innocent.
Word Origin
From the Middle English 'blameles', combining the root 'blame' (from Old French 'blasmer') with the Germanic suffix '-less'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In legal and insurance contexts in English-speaking countries, being 'held blameless' is a specific status that protects a party from financial or criminal liability.
Quick Quiz
Despite the harsh accusations from the media, the internal audit found the manager to be ________ for the loss of funds.
Correct!
The correct answer is: blameless
Related Words
intrabrevsion
C1A technical or linguistic term referring to the internal abbreviation or condensation of information within a specific system or document. It describes the act of shortening components for internal efficiency while maintaining the integrity of the overall structure.
prevalor
C1To prove superior in power, influence, or frequency within a specific context. It describes a situation where one principle, opinion, or force becomes dominant over others.
ultrajuncter
C1Describing something that exists beyond a standard point of connection or is characterized by an extreme degree of integration between disparate parts. It is typically used in specialized contexts to denote systems, theories, or structures that bridge multiple complex networks simultaneously.
macrosanctible
C1A large-scale system, institution, or conceptual framework that is regarded as inviolable and beyond criticism due to its perceived sacredness or fundamental importance. It typically refers to entities that are protected from alteration or scrutiny because of their massive cultural or structural status.
uncedate
C1A formal and technical noun referring to a state or instance where a claim, territory, or right has not been yielded or surrendered. It describes the preservation of original status or possession despite pressure to concede or transfer control.
anvention
C1To systematically modify or adapt an existing concept or object into a new form, particularly within a controlled environment or set of parameters. This verb describes the process of innovating by bridging the gap between rigorous analysis and creative invention.
semiliberness
C1To exist in or grant a state of partial liberty or restricted autonomy. It describes the act of functioning within a framework that provides some freedom while maintaining significant oversight or control.
cosolvment
C1Describing a substance or factor that acts in conjunction with another to facilitate the process of dissolving a solute or resolving a complex situation. In technical contexts, it refers to an auxiliary agent that enhances the solubility of a primary solvent system.
unaudless
C1Describing something that is completely devoid of sound or impossible to hear. It is often used in literary or technical contexts to emphasize a profound state of silence or a lack of auditory signature.
monosomnful
C1A noun referring to the physiological or habitual state of experiencing only one continuous, uninterrupted period of sleep within a twenty-four-hour cycle. It describes the quality of a monophasic sleep pattern where rest is concentrated into a single block without supplemental naps.
Comments (0)
Login to CommentStart learning languages for free
Start Learning Free