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Synonyms

diminished responsibility

British

noun

law a plea under which proof of an impairing abnormality of mind is submitted as demonstrating lack of premeditation and therefore criminal responsibility

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Inquiry counsel Rachel Langdale KC asked Sanders what he thought about a charge of manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility being put forward.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

The suspect "has been suffering from a mental illness for many years" and "it cannot be ruled out that he had diminished responsibility at the time of the offence", they said.

From Barron's • Oct. 31, 2025

It wasn't diminished responsibility and it wasn't manslaughter.

From BBC • Oct. 25, 2025

Alice Mackey, 42, of Oakhanger, was in a state of "diminished responsibility" at the time according to two psychiatrists, Winchester Crown Court was told.

From BBC • Jul. 28, 2025

In the opinion of Dr. Satten and his colleagues, Andrews’ crime amounted to such an undebatable example of diminished responsibility that the case offered an ideal chance to challenge the M’Naghten Rule in Kansas courts.

From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023